Local Hospital Volunteers Receive Awards

Barbara Hitchcock was named Volunteer of the Year. Hitchcock, who has logged more than 1,000 hours since becoming a hospital volunteer two years ago.

Lake Wales, FL –Lake Wales Medical Center recently held its annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon to honor the more than 100 volunteers who donate thousands of hours every year helping the hospital provide top quality care to its patients and visitors.

Barbara Hitchcock was named Volunteer of the Year. Hitchcock, who has logged more than 1,000 hours since becoming a hospital volunteer two years ago, is the friendly face that greets visitors on weekends in the main lobby and volunteers in the Gift Shop during the week.

“Barbara is one of those volunteers who never seems to have a bad day,” said Eric Grenier, who coordinates the volunteer program at the hospital. “She’s always seems to greet you with a smile when you walk in the door. She is kind, friendly, and always willing to go the extra mile to help our visitors.”

Sponsored Advertiser

The hospital also gave three “Star Performer Awards” to volunteers who exemplified customer service and going above and beyond to make Lake Wales Medical Center a great place to receive care. Those awards were presented to Gail Mucha, Ann Clement, and Judy Boettger. Mucha and Boettger work at the Main Lobby front desk and make visitors feel welcome and at-ease with their enthusiasm. Clement works in the Gift Shop and delivers flowers to patients twice a week. All three ladies were nominated by visitors, patients, and peers.

The awards luncheon was held on April 17 at the First Baptist Church. Each of the hospital’s volunteers received a pin, a notebook, a certificate of appreciation, and many also earned service award pins:

L-R: LWMC’s Star Performers Award winners from left, Gail Mucha, Ann Clement, and Judy Boettger, are congratulated by Voulnteer Coordinator Eric Grenier.

100 hours: Nicholas Apuzzo, Kelly Birchfield, Judy Boettger, Stephen Clement, Susan Fehser, Marilyn Gibson, Christina Harper, Mary Hudnell, Stephanie Jester, Marshal Kirchik, Carol Lassiter, Patterson Monroe-Duprey, Gail Mucha, Mary Jane Newcomer, Barbara Peters, Daniel Say, Eli Say, Rosemarie Seiss, Marion Thornton, Barbara Waldrop, Carol Whitaker, and Fredrick Whitermore.

500 hours: Joyce Angrist, Gloria Apuzzo, Charles Coffin, Joanne Harold, Mary Luhr, Suzanne Padula, Jeanne Propes, Mary Ann Rosevink, Anna Stewart, Preston Troutman, Betty Vandellen, Payton Ward, Janet Whitehead, Laura Williams, and Gloria Wurth.

1,000 hours: Barbara Hitchcock, Carolyn Hull, and Sherry Oakes.

1,500 hours: Tom Egan, Marjorie Knowlton, and Theresa Proulx.

2,000 hours: Robert Cramer, Edwin Friedlander, and Mary Martin.

Additionally, the following service hour pins were awarded: Marleen Wallace, 2500 hours; Larry Chlebeck, 3000 hours; Lorraine Cadwell and David Fehser, 4,000 hours; Warren Cook, 5,000 hours; Ellen McElhinny, 8,000 hours; and Martha Carter, 16,000 hours.