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

MEMORIAL HOSPITAL MIRAMAR MEMORIAL HOSPITAL PEMBROKE

Elina Wendland Luisa Strong

Elina Wendland was having difficulty coping with tinni- Luisa Strong, 64, just recently retired from working in
tus and needed something to take the focus away from the the airline industry all of her life. The wife and mother
ear problem. Becoming a volunteer was her solution. who is originally from Lima, Peru, moved to Pembroke
“It’s been a great journey for me,” Wendland said of the Pines in 1985 with her family. She served in finance and as
eight years she has given her time and effort at Memorial a ticket agent for more than 20 years for several airlines
Hospital Miramar. “The staff treat volunteers with respect globally.
and my supervisor, Veronica Palmer, makes the experience “I was made for customer service and making connec-
extra special. I couldn’t have asked to be in a better place.” tions with all kinds of people,” said Strong. “It is what has
Wendland is part of the team on Wednesdays, along been most fulfilling to me.”
with Marge, Karen, and Kissoon. At the information desk Last year, she retired and realized she was not ready for
she is often the first point of contact for visitors to the hospital, directing them where this chapter of her life, so she turned to what she knew would bring her a sense of ful-
they need to go, offering wheelchairs to those that need them, answering the phone, fillment – volunteering. The decision as to where she would give her time was a simple
delivering flowers, and even helping with patients. Fluent in Spanish, she’s sometimes one. She decided to return to the hospital and staff who took care of her mom. Today,
asked to provide a translation. “A few words and a smile go a long way when someone Strong serves in Outpatient Registration at Memorial Hospital Pembroke five days a
is struggling,” she said. week.
“I feel at home here,” said Strong. “It brings me so much pride knowing I am part of
MEMORIAL REGIONAL HOSPITAL SOUTH a team that took such great care of my mom. This is how I give back.”

Nadia Narain
Janet Gauntlett
Nadia Narain, originally from Guyana, came to the
Janet Gauntlett provides the ultimate volunteer testimo- United States just five years ago. This local college student
nial when asked about the five years she has spent in the was inspired in 2017 to volunteer at Memorial Hospital
Memorial Healthcare System. “I wouldn’t be any happier Pembroke while looking for service hours to fulfill her
doing this if I were getting paid. I love the experience and high school graduation requirements.
giving back is what I enjoy most.” “It was the only place I wanted to be because it is where
A typical shift has Gauntlett taking patients to and from I knew I could help people feel comfortable and still help
group activities, helping with scheduling, making beds, or in different departments,” she said.
doing whatever is needed at that time. Another of her roles Narain, now 18, has a love for learning and for helping
is encouraging those going through therapy or rehabilita- in different ways. She spends two days a week in various departments including the lab-
tion and she takes pleasure in watching them recover, whether it be from strokes, trau- oratory, administration, human resources and hospital floors, when she is not in college
matic brain or spinal cord injuries, or any of the other medical conditions treated at her pursuing a teaching degree.
hospital. She enjoys being a part of the celebrations designed to engage patients, families and
Gauntlett is well-loved by doctors, nurses, therapists, and, of course, the patients she staff and often volunteers in the preparations of those activities. Most recently, she
assists. “I’m a people person, so getting smiles from those going through difficult circum- worked on selfie frames to engage patients, families and staff for the holidays.
stances is a beautiful thing,” she said.
JOE DIMAGGIO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
Rosmira Bunker

A volunteer for more than 13 years, Rosmira Bunker Marteen Longo
loves to help people, dating back to a nursing career in
Venezuela. “I feel useful helping those in need and adding Teaching has been a life-long passion for Marteen
value to their daily care. That’s why I’ve spent so much Longo. Volunteering at the Family Resource Center of Joe
time in hospitals,” she said. DiMaggio Children’s Hospital for the last four years has
Bunker currently volunteers on all the nursing floors, been a labor of love from the moment she walked in.
after previously being in the emergency department and “I took it upon myself to keep books and magazines cur-
gift shop. She passes out drinks, blankets, and magazines rent on the shelves as well as instill the love of reading to
to patients, answers call lights, and assists with clerical anyone who walks in,” said Longo. “I also love serving as
work. The native of Colombia has also helped staff vendor sales, fundraisers, and health a guide to Musicians On-Call. It is such an inspiration to
fairs. hear and see them singing to patients in their rooms.”
“We’re like a family where everyone smiles, says hello, and there is harmony,” said To the 75-year old educator who spent 35 years at Dade
Bunker. “I’d recommend volunteering to anyone, especially students looking to get into County Public School System serving in a variety of roles ranging from elementary
the medical field. Your work is appreciated, there’s networking opportunities, you school teacher, to librarian, to middle school counselor to high school assistant principal,
enhance the patient care experience, and give back to the community.” the Family Resource Center is a home away from home.
“It’s a passion to give back in this way,” she adds. “This is where families come to relax
MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WEST and get away. I love it when they leave with a book in hand. I love that I can offer them
a cup of coffee, a cookie, or just conversation.”

Lisa Sidoti Vicki Weber

After more than 16 years as a volunteer, there aren’t Being a school teacher had been Vicki Weber’s calling
many jobs Lisa Sidoti hasn’t done or areas within from the beginning. It’s just that now the 65-year-old
Memorial Hospital West in which she hasn’t worked. And retired educator from the New York Public School System
she wouldn’t have it any other way. “I’ve been all over the continues her life’s calling as a volunteer at Joe DiMaggio
hospital, and I love it. The friendships I’ve made make this Children’s Hospital. Seven years ago, she was sitting at a
like a second home. I wouldn’t give volunteering up for local business conversing with a friend about her desire to
anything.” do more now that she was retired.
A partial list of tasks that Sidoti has done to assist others “I have always been very active and now I found myself
includes working in volunteer services, filing, making ori- searching for more to do,” said Weber. “I was sitting at the
entation packets, inputting information, and providing shop with my hairdresser explaining this and she asked me to stay so that I could speak
materials to others considering donating their time. She’s also assisted in medical records, to her next appointment.” It was at that moment that she found her next journey.
made deliveries, provided answers to visitors that are lost, and reassured patients that are “At first I helped out in the playroom until I learned about the dedicated classroom
scared. All because she enjoys helping people. where a certified Broward County Public School teacher works to keep patients up with
“It’s great to put a smile on someone’s face. That fulfills a need in me,” Sidoti said. their school work and grades up to date. It spoke to me instantly.”

24 April 2019 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News