Volunteers in Medicine recognized and celebrated the contributions of its volunteers recently, when the nonprofit organization held its annual “Evening of Heartfelt Thanks” service recognition and awards reception.
Held in the Riverfront Café in Jacksonville’s Haskell Building, the event honored the 230 active volunteers who donated free medical care valued at more than $1 million to Jacksonville’s uninsured working families.
“Our volunteers perform a variety of functions in our downtown clinic,” said Mary Pat Corrigan, CEO of Volunteers in Medicine. “These caring physicians, registered nurses, advanced nurse practitioners, pharmacists, licensed mental health counselors, and many non-clinical volunteers, including healthcare students from local universities and colleges, provide an essential service throughout our organization. This evening is dedicated exclusively to them and to thank them for their dedication and service to our patients and the community.”
Receiving 250 Annual Hour Presidential Awards were Linda Bardole, Hamza Salau, Tocca Chester, Barb Vitsky, Laine MacWilliam, Ralph Mancusi, Dixie Murphy and Karen Russell. The 500 Hour Cumulative Awards were given to Sylvia Blancett, Dr. Parita Patel, Anita Dunford, Hamza Salau and Mickie Haag. Ellen Balanky, Tom Prince, Tocca Chester and Barb Vitsky were awarded 1,000 Hour Cumulative Awards, while Carolyn Hinckley and Nancy Mason received 2,000 Hour Cumulative Awards.
Rounding out the evening, Jacob Henderson, Erika Turko, LeeAnne Herlong, Karen Young and Ebony Smith were presented with 100 Hour Awards, while Blake Boudreaux, Dr. Tim Schneider, Perla Calica-R.N., Cathy Taylor, Genevieve Cole, Tim Woodward, M.D. and Floyd Gonder, M.D. received 300 Hour Awards.
“These caring people are Jacksonville’s finest,” Volunteers in Medicine co- founder and noted philanthropist Dottie Dorion said, “and without them there would be no clinic.”
