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May 10, 2010
VICTORIA – They inspire us with their spirit, they help to make our hospitals and residential care facilities better places and we are thankful for them every day. May 10 is Health Care Auxiliary Day and the Vancouver Island Health Authority joins with Health Authorities all across BC to formally thank and recognize Auxiliary volunteers for their hard work, compassion and dedicated service.
“At the heart of every Auxiliary are the dedicated volunteers who work countless hours going the extra mile to help patients and their families at times when care is needed the most,” said VIHA President and CEO Howard Waldner. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, and all the employees of VIHA, I want to thank you for your commitment to health care.”
In 2009, volunteers in 23 Auxiliaries on Vancouver Island - from Port Hardy to Victoria, and from Salt Spring Island to Tahsis - donated more than 500,000 hours of service to benefit patients and residents in our health care facilities.
As greeters and way-finders in our lobbies and outpatient areas, Auxiliary volunteers are often the first faces that patients and visitors encounter when they come to the hospital. They provide services and activities that add to the comfort and dignity of patients and residents; they offer education and scholarship opportunities for our staff. Auxiliary volunteers run gift shops, thrift shops and a variety of other programs throughout Vancouver Island that generate significant revenue - and they donate hundreds of thousands of dollars every year to benefit patients and residents in care.
Auxiliaries have made great contributions to the well being of our clients and staff ever since hospitals were first established on Vancouver Island in the mid 1800s. They are an important part of the VIHA family and are valued members of our health care team – and we are most grateful for their selfless service and dedication.
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Media Contact:
Shannon Marshall
VIHA Communications
250-370-8270 |
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