The volunteers at Porter Health Care System recently enjoyed a celebratory luncheon at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton during National Volunteer Appreciation Week.
During the luncheon, CEO Steve Lunn thanked the nearly 140 volunteers who donated 22,438 hours in 2015. “At Porter, volunteers are essential to the delivery of high-quality health care, enhancing the patient, family and visitor experience through a shared commitment to helping those in need,” said Lunn. “You'll find a volunteer in nearly every department within our walls, sharing their talents, sharing their time and perhaps most importantly, sharing their compassion for the people and the communities in which we live.”
A special recognition went to volunteer Robert Mulligan for his work with the Stroke Survivor Support Group. Robert, who has more than 3,000 hours of volunteer time, feels a connection to those he meets in the support group because he, too, is a stroke survivor. “I have walked in their shoes and am so thankful to be able to do what I can do to help them,” he said.
To add to the merriment, many of the volunteers donned special hats for a contest. Julia Young, who’s been a volunteer at Porter for 21 years, and June Sheets, a four-year volunteer, were named as winners for best hats, both adding unique homemade touches to their bonnets. Dennis Bond and Eric Thorstad were named winners in the men’s category for their stylish choices.
Marianne Dimos, Volunteer Coordinator at Porter, shared a quote by Sharon Anderson that perfectly sums up her feelings about the much beloved volunteers, “Volunteers are not paid – not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless.”
Porter Health Care System has two hospital campuses and seven outpatient facilities serving Porter, Lake, LaPorte, Starke and Jasper counties. With more than 350 physicians representing 50 medical specialties, Porter Health Care System is committed to medical excellence and personalized, patient-centered care. Porter is directly or indirectly owned by a partnership that proudly includes physician owners, including certain members of the hospital’s medical staff.
