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v o l u n t e e r m i n i s t r y

Serve in Their Communities s Abbi Cerezo (BSVM ’16-17) is a medical
olunteers
student at Boston Medical Center. She says,
“My favorite part of working in the hospital is
Bon Secours Volunteer Ministry gives young adults the opportunity sitting with patients, helping them feel more

to live and serve in communities with people who face oppression, at home during their stay and sharing stories
with them.” COVID-19 has changed the way
racism and systemic injustice. Through meaningful work and building she works. She has end-of-life conversations
relationships with their neighbors, Ministry Volunteers participate
with patients and feels tremendous responsibility
in the sisters’ commitment to justice in radical solidarity with the bringing connection and closure to families
poor, the suffering and those most in need. who cannot be present.

OUR CURRENT MINISTRY VOLUNTEERS ARE IMPROVING ‘‘ ONE OF THE LESSONS I HAVE
THEIR COMMUNITIES IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS: LEARNED IS THAT IN DIFFICULT

Ally Staresinic is a patient liaison at Bon Secours Richmond TIMES, WE NEED TO REMEMBER
OUR HUMANITY. FEAR WILL TRY
Community Hospital. She serves in the Behavioral Health Unit, AND TAKE THAT AWAY FROM US.
a therapeutic environment for people with serious mental illness. IT IS AN INCREDIBLE PRIVILEGE
Ally brings a compassionate presence to patients and staff, TO BE SUPPORTING PATIENTS
Ministry V
and she provides patients with emotional and spiritual support AND THEIR FAMILIES DURING
as they heal and recover. THESE UNPRECEDENTED TIMES.”

OUR BON SECOURS VOLUNTEER MINISTRY ALUMNI CONTINUE TO SHARE THE

BON SECOURS MISSION IN THE COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY LIVE AND WORK.
Patrick Kollman is an emergency department patient liaison at
Bon Secours Richmond Community Hospital. He supports patients
Meghan Kruger (BSVM ’14-15) works for Boston s
and their families during their emergency department experience and
Health Care for the Homeless. Her responsibilities have
contributes to a caring, concerned atmosphere that promotes patient
fluctuated during the pandemic. She staffed isolation and
satisfaction and augments the efforts of the medical and nursing staff.
quarantine spaces for patients waiting for COVID-19
test results. She also wrote policies and conducted infection
control trainings for staff as they prepared to reopen
Caroline Kirk and Mario Sultan after the first COVID-19 wave. More recently, she has
serve at Cristo Rey Richmond High School, participated in her organization’s vaccination program.
a Catholic learning community for students
of limited economic means. They assist ‘‘ I HAVE BEEN HONORED TO BE PART
teachers and build personal relationships OF THE VACCINATION EFFORTS FOR
with students through tutoring and OUR STAFF, SHELTER PARTNERS AND
providing academic help in the classroom. PATIENTS. THE HOPEFULNESS I FEEL
HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY ENERGIZING.”

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