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★ ★ ★ Salute to ★
★
★
★ ★ Volunteers ★ ★

MEMORIAL HOSPITAL MIRAMAR BROWARD HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER

Barbara Hintzke James and Joanne Lennon

After working in healthcare for 40 years, including time Broward Health Medical Center volunteers James and
as a registered medical assistant and surgical coordinator, Joanne Lennon believe more people should volunteer.
Barbara Hintzke found she missed the human interactions “It’s rewarding to do something when you are not look-
after retiring a few years back. That led her to volun- ing for a paycheck,” said Joanne. “It’s for the greater
teerism and a leadership role as a patient ambassador at good.”
Memorial Hospital Miramar. “We visit rooms and see if The dedicated retirees have donated their time for the
there is anything that would make the patients more com- last nine years. The New England couple can usually be
fortable. Sometimes they’ll share details about outstand- found at least once a week selling books in front of the
ing care they’ve received or if there’s an issue they’d like gift shop and connecting with staff, patients and guests.
addressed. For some, we may be the only non-medical Joanne also makes and sells baby quilts to support the
visitors they receive all day.” Broward Health Auxiliary. The couple are a vital part of the hospital, and provide
Hintzke loves helping patient families and says her compassion comes from under- support and valuable service to the hospital.
standing what they are going through; for many years she has been a caregiver for a “Our mentality is to give back,” said Joanne. “That’s what we were taught.”
spouse with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS), a group of bone marrow disorders.
Hintzke and her husband both volunteer for the MDS Foundation, with Barbara
being a mentor to the caregivers there and at BeTheMatch. BROWARD HEALTH NORTH
“It’s very rewarding knowing we’re making a difference in people’s lives.”

Emma Kuchenbecker

MEMORIAL REGIONAL HOSPITAL SOUTH and Marge Fryer

Fabian Suarez Volunteering has always been priority for Emma
Kuchenbecker and Marge Fryer. Kuchenbecker and
Fryer have donated a combined 25 years to the patients
It was a near-death experience that led Fabian Suarez of Broward Health North.
to become a volunteer within Memorial Healthcare Kuchenbecker began volunteering in 2001 after the
System. loss of her husband. She first worked as a cashier in a
“I was hit by a car while on a motorcycle and in a coma Pompano Beach thrift shop that benefited the hospital.
for three months,” said Suarez, of the accident that nearly She later moved to the gift shop at Broward Health
ended his life in 2016. “When I woke up, I couldn’t walk, North, where she serves as a cashier every Wednesday. Kuchenbecker said she feels
talk, or remember anything that happened even a year it’s important to give back to the community. “I have met wonderful people who
before the crash. I’m just so thankful Memorial saved my browse in the shop,” she said, “and I encourage others to get out and volunteer.”
life.” For Fryer, the decision to volunteer at Broward Health North was natural. She
Suarez currently volunteers in the same facility where knew the hospital well having spent 20 years as an administrative assistant to the
his own rehabilitation took place and often hears what an hospital’s CEO. In 2013, three years after her retirement, Fryer returned to the place
inspiration he is to patients working to overcome strokes, the loss of a limb, traumatic that gave her so much joy. She started as a greeter alongside her husband, Bob. She
brain and spinal cord injuries. “I just enjoy helping people and can empathize with then began volunteering in the gift shop as a buyer, purchasing items to sell in the
what they’re going through. I try to put those dealing with tough situations at ease. store. “I volunteer because I feel that giving back is very important,” said Fryer. “It’s
If they’re inspired because I’m recovering and they want to do the same, that’s great.” also amazing to see people from back in the day when I worked in administration.”

MEMORIAL MANOR BROWARD HEALTH CORAL SPRINGS

Lino Rodriguez
Joe and Lucrecia Michalopoulos
After being discharged from Memorial Healthcare
System’s skilled nursing facility following a month-long
recovery from open heart surgery, 79-year-old Lino When Joe and Lucrecia Michalopoulos retired in the
Rodriguez found he missed the friendships formed with early 2000s, they looked for a rewarding way to spend
Memorial Manor staff and patients. “I enjoyed talking their time. They began volunteering at a library, and
with everyone. Telling jokes and bringing happiness then added Broward Health Coral Springs to their sched-
makes me feel good.” ule. The couple eventually decided to devote their time
Once fully healthy, Rodriguez began volunteering his to just the hospital.
time and assisting those he cared about. Nearly 2,500 Joe volunteers in the outpatient registration depart-
hours later, he’s an almost daily presence at the facility. ment. He greets and registers patients before guiding
“My wife used to encourage me to ‘go get my therapy’ at them to their destination within the hospital. Lucrecia
the Manor. I started coming most every day after her passing.” works in the hospital’s volunteer office, where she inter-
Rodriguez, a retired chef, can sometimes be found helping in the kitchen, and has views high school students and adults interested in volunteering. She also creates
several patients that are fans of his Puerto Rican coffee and iced coffee. He also enjoys the volunteer schedules, helps in the gift shop and assists with other projects as
taking his friends outside for some fresh air, playing bingo, and joking with them. needed.
Over the 12 years the couple has volunteered at Broward Health Coral Springs,
they both most enjoy meeting people. Joe relishes being able to put patients at ease
and being with his volunteer family. “You meet nice people and make good friends.
It is something to do and is good for the body and mind,” he said. Lucrecia enjoys
interviewing the students and learning about their aspirations. She also likes that
volunteering allows her to keep active, she said.

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20 April 2020 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News