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

ST. MARY’S MEDICAL CENTER GOOD SAMARITAN MEDICAL CENTER

Stu Hochron Susan Zimmerman

Stu Hochron has volunteered at St. Mary’s Medical Susan Zimmerman is a volunteer with Good Samaritan
Center for 2 years or 182 hours. Stu volunteers in mul- Medical Center where she works on expanding the volun-
tiple areas including the Stroke Support Group, Patient teer program. Susan decided she wanted to continue to
and Family Advisory Council and through the Hospital’s help her community after her 25 years of service as a mem-
Foundation. Stu’s responsibilities include encouraging ber of the Department of Defense. As difficult as it can be
stroke patients to come to the stroke support group for at times, Susan enjoys trying to give patients a little bit of
support on how to face life following a stroke. Stu first joy while they’re being treated in the hospital. Susan cred-
started volunteering after his personal experience having its the positivity at Good Samaritan Medical Center that
suffered a stroke and receiving what he calls “lifesaving keeps her coming back. Susan attributes her time with the
care” from St. Mary’s Medical Center. Department of Defense in Washington, D.C. for her ability
Stu’s favorite part of volunteering is being around the caring and knowledgeable to deal with patients. She believes it takes compassion to keep our country safe, and she
staff at St. Mary’s and the appreciation they show him by providing hugs and kisses uses that same compassion when dealing with patients in the hospital. Susan’s interests
when they see him. One of Stu’s most memorable moments as a volunteer was when outside of volunteering include golf and working with smaller companies to help them
he met a patient who was ready to give up on life after a stroke. The patient and Stu work with the Department of Defense. Her advice to those who may be interested in vol-
shared stories and challenges. Stu then asked the patient to come to the support group unteering is that there isn’t a better opportunity to help others than volunteering your
to meet others who had gone through similar challenges. As a result of this experience time.
and meeting Stu, this patient now has a new outlook on life.
Stu worked in pharmaceutical marketing. Today he enjoys skiing and New York Jacqueline Harris
Yankees baseball. Stu recommends getting a good night’s sleep before volunteering
because you’ll walk away feeling like you’ve accomplished something so impactful Jacqueline Harris volunteers in the surgical waiting area
and rewarding each day. at Good Samaritan Medical Center. Jacqueline’s responsi-

bilities include checking the status of patients for families
Bruce Klein and friends while in surgery and keeping them abreast of
how they’re doing while their loved one is being treated.
Bruce Klein has been volunteering as a Baby Cuddler Jacqueline is no stranger to Good Sam. Before she became
in the St. Mary’s Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care a volunteer, she was a patient. Jacqueline was so impressed
Unit for over a year. In 2019, he put in more than 346 with the care she received, she decided she wanted to vol-
hours of cuddling to help the nursing staff with the unteer at the hospital. She always paper and crayons in her
babies. Bruce owned a children’s retail store for many desk drawer for kids to use while they’re waiting for a loved one who is in surgery. One
years, and he wanted to continue to work with children time she had a family make homemade cards for their grandmother, and by the time she
after retirement. According to Bruce, being able to give was out of surgery, she had multiple get well cards from her family. When Jacqueline isn’t
the babies extra love and care makes his volunteer time volunteering, she enjoys needlepoint, painting, reading and baking. According to
all the more worthwhile. He remembers a time when the Jacqueline, when it comes to volunteering it’s important that you are part of a big picture
first long-term baby he held went home and he was to help others and you feel extremely valued.
rewarded by earning Volunteer of the Quarter. Bruce felt such a sense of pride and
appreciation because he knew that not only was he helping the babies, but also he was WEST BOCA MEDICAL CENTER
helping the NICU staff.
In Bruce’s spare time he enjoys animals, traveling and theatre. He also volunteers at
the Kravis Center and has been volunteering with animal shelters for over 16 years. Hailey McCullough

Hailey McCullough has volunteered at West Boca
PALM BEACH GARDENS MEDICAL CENTER Medical Center for almost two years. Hailey volunteers in
dispatch, which is located in the lobby in front of the staff
Brenda Atlee elevators. Her responsibilities include discharging patients,
running specimens to the lab and delivering paperwork,
Brenda Atlee is a volunteer at Palm Beach Gardens flowers and monitors to different floors. Hailey wanted to
Medical Center. She started volunteering her time in the become a volunteer to earn service hours from her high
Intensive Care Unit and eventually took over the role of school but more importantly to understand the environ-
vice president of the Auxiliary Board. Brenda is original- ment and surroundings of a hospital because she hopes
ly from Maryland where she worked in the field of man- one day to become a pediatric surgeon. What she enjoys
agement with an auto glass company. Her husband most about volunteering is lifting up patients when they’re
worked for the government, so she lived in different dealing with an illness and trying to brighten their day. Hailey’s most memorable experi-
countries over the years. Once she moved back to the ence from volunteering was participating in the summer academy at West Boca Medical
states, Brenda elected to retire but made the decision to Center. The program allowed her to make new friends and learn about each department
become a volunteer. She reached out to Palm Beach at the hospital. When Hailey isn’t volunteering, she is a high school student, and a mem-
Gardens Medical Center and has had the great pleasure ber of the cheerleading and softball teams, student government and Girl Scouts.
of being a part of the volunteer team ever since.
Connie Chenevert
Chuck Roover
Connie Chenevert has volunteered for four years at
Chuck Roover has been a volunteer at Palm Beach West Boca Medical Center at the dispatch desk. In her role,
Gardens Medical Center for three years. Chuck volun- Connie helps transport discharged patients to the lobby,
teers in the surgical waiting room where he’s always take bloodwork to the lab and help nurses retrieve items
there to answer questions and calm concerned family from central supply. Connie initially decided she wanted to
members and loved ones. In addition to volunteering in volunteer so she could get out of the house but quickly fell
the waiting area, Chuck also serves as treasurer of the in love with volunteering. Her favorite part is the people.
Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center Auxiliary. Chuck Connie meets so many wonderful patients and she receives
became a volunteer after suffering a staph infection tons of thank you’s from both patients and doctors alike.
which required seven surgeries. After getting his life and Prior to volunteering, Connie worked for many years in
his health back on track, he decided to pay it forward and, in turn, became a volun- restaurants as a server. Her background in the food industry has helped her read people’s
teer. His favorite part of volunteering is being able to interact with the families of needs and give her an indication as to what will please them. In her spare time, Connie
those waiting for loved ones undergoing surgery. He also loves how important the vol- enjoys sewing, jigsaw puzzles and working in her garden, and she promised to learn how
unteer program is at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center. Chuck used to run to make quilts. Connie highly recommends volunteering, stating that if anyone has to
marathons, but at age 78, he typically walks mostly days. However, his passion has be admitted to the hospital, they won’t feel alone because the volunteers will be by
become volunteering and it has kept Chuck physically and mentally focused. your side to get you through your most difficult times.

22 April 2020 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News