Message from President & CEO Debbie Sevenpifer

Debbie Sevenpifer,
President and Chief Executive Officer

It never fails to bring a smile to my face when I see our volunteers busily going about their tasks with a warmth, kindness and professionalism that is obvious to all those around them.

I have had the pleasure of meeting many of the fine men and women who volunteer with the Niagara Health System. One of the things that strikes me about these dedicated people is their commitment to improving healthcare and the lives of others. Whether it is a family member or a stranger, their compassion and dedication to the community make a difference to all those they touch.

At Niagara Health, we are truly grateful for the 1,100 volunteers who give their time so generously. As a small token of our appreciation, the hospital organizes a special luncheon in April each year for this special group of people who don’t think twice about putting others first. They see a need in their communities and always go the extra mile to make sure that need is met.

Our volunteer ranks include auxiliary members, board members, standing committee members and individuals serving through our Volunteer Resources programs. All ages and from all backgrounds, our volunteers contribute to ensuring the highest quality care for patients in many ways.

These are just some of the many areas in which our volunteers share their skills, abilities, experience and talents:

Patient support, including palliative care, friendly visiting, pet and art therapy, entertainment and patient feeding.

Leadership, which can involve serving on the Board of Trustees, auxiliary executives and working committees.

Raising money, through gift shops, foundations, bazaars, craft sales, raffles and other initiatives.

Supporting staff, by helping with filing, photocopying, research and database management.

We simply couldn’t do the work that we do without the vitally important contributions of our volunteers. In these challenging times in healthcare, I have no doubt that we will continue to rely on our volunteers to help us provide our patients and their families with the quality care and compassion they deserve. I also have no doubt that our volunteers will continue to welcome the opportunity to help the people in Niagara who depend on their support and generosity.

We are always looking for more volunteers, and I would encourage anyone interested in volunteering at the hospital to go to the NHS website (niagarahealth.on.ca) and click on the About Volunteering link or call the main hospital number (905-378-4647) and ask for Volunteer Resources.

Our volunteers’ uncompromised loyalty and duty to patients and their families are gifts to be treasured, and we at the Niagara Health System are truly grateful for these extraordinary gifts.  «