(Media release from Atrium Health Floyd):
Four outstanding volunteers at Atrium Health Floyd are being recognized – one of them posthumously – as Good Samaritans for their service to patients and visitors.
April is National Volunteer Month, and the week of April 21-27 is National Volunteer Week, when Atrium Health Floyd has traditionally honored its volunteers, who share their time and talents to help patients and visitors.
These honorees include Pat McGivaren, who passed away on April 17, Rogena Cordle, Wanda Hilyer, and Lori Lotz.
Volunteers perform a variety of important duties:
- Hospitality specialists greet and escort patients and provide reading materials.
- Retail specialists help in our gift shop and thrift shop.
- Clerical helpers answer phones and assist with mailings.
- Musicians and artists perform for patients and lead them to explore their own artistic abilities.
- Trained therapy dogs and handlers share their unconditional love with our patients, helping them to relax, connect and heal.
According to those who nominated them:
Pat McGivaren was a familiar face at the 330 Physicians Center for over eight years, acting mainly as a greeter. “Even the most discerning eye wouldn’t detect a bad day beneath his cheerful demeanor.” Mr. Pat, as he was known, was one of the first volunteers to return after the COVID lockdown and functioned as a mentor to many college volunteers, sharing his experience and ensuring their first steps into mission work were filled with confidence a purpose.
Rogena Cordle is a retired pediatrician who is a volunteer at Heyman Hospice Care at Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center. Cordle was instrumental in helping start the volunteer companionship for patients at hospice. “Through her volunteering she formed friendships with patients that gave the extra needed attention to each patient’s life she touched.”
Wanda Hilyer has been a faithful volunteer at the Atrium Health Floyd Polk Medical Center Gift Shop. “Wanda is precious to me and many others. Taking a minute to go into the Gift Shop and talk with Wanda brightens everyone’s day. She is dedicated to her job, and without volunteers like her we would be unable to have the Gift Shop we all love so much,” her nomination form stated.
Lori Lotz does whatever is required at Cancer Navigators. Lotz was praised for her punctuality and her willingness to do anything asked of her. “She can stock shelves, is such a wonderful organizer as well and helps keep the office running smoothly by answering phone calls, updating food pantry lists and other resources, as well as waiting on patients.”
Atrium Health Floyd – which includes Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center, Atrium Health Floyd Polk Medical Center and Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center – hosts 237 active volunteers who speak a total of 11 different languages including Russian, Spanish, Tamil, Arabic, French, German, Twi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Hindi and English.
