The Volunteer Reporter
Twilight Toast Edition
June 2000

April 2000 In this issue.... Letter to Fellow Volunteers Retirement Receptions for Mary Slay and Joan Beherns New Director of Patient and Visitor Programs Contributions and Donations Report Bits and Pieces Upcoming Events Five Volunteers Awarded Junior Volunteer Scholarships UIHC Staff say Thank You Two Bus Trips Planned for Volunteers

Dear Volunteers,

It is hard to believe that it is already the beginning of June ... the new millennium is rolling along and in just a short time, my year as Chairperson of the Advisory Board will come to an end. I am looking forward to welcoming you at our Twilight Toast on June 6th on the 8th floor of the hospital. This is always a great event and we look forward to this chance to get all our volunteers together.

On February 23, several staff and volunteers (those who have served as chairpersons of the Advisory Board) attended the IH & HS Legislative Day in Des Moines. We attended an informative program in the morning and then visited the Statehouse in the afternoon where we met with Rep. Dick Myers.

National Volunteer Week was April 9 - 16 and brought many wonderful surprises. Our CEO, Mr. R. Edward Howell, hosted a reception for us at the University Athletic Club that was elegant. It was great to listen to Mr. Howell's update on changes in healthcare and to learn that our hospital continues to be financially sound. In addition to that, the unveiling of the new "1000 Hour Recognition Plaque" in the main lobby of the hospital was a wonderful surprise at the reception. If you haven't had a chance to see it yet, please stop in the main lobby and check it out. It's quite nice. And to top it off, there were wonderful ads in the local newspapers and a large "thank you volunteers" display by the ATM Machine in the main lobby. What a special week.

Plans are finalized for our next volunteer bus trips ... one to Hannibal, Missouri in the fall ... and another holiday shopping trip to Chicago in December. Dates are included with this newsletter so mark your calendars now. The bus trips are always FUN and it is great to spend more time with one another.

I hope to see you at the Twilight Toast on June 6.

Wilma Evans, Chairperson
Volunteer Advisory Board

Contributions and Donations Report February Board Approved Requests

1. Lynn Fisher, Department of Urology requested $4,100 for the purchase of furnishings for two semen collection rooms. These facilities are used by Urology, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Oncology and Family Practice. The hospital will remodel physical space and volunteer funds will be used for furnishings. The request was recommended for full funding.

2. Lou Halsch, Thoracic Oncology, requested $700 to purchase a four panel display board with case to exhibit educational materials regarding lung cancer. The display will be used to educate patients, visitors and staff. The request was recommended for full funding.

3. Lynn Wright, UIHC Heartbeats Choir, requested $250 to purchase new sheet music for the choir. The request was recommended for full funding.

4. Margaret Hibbs, Patient Representatives, Day of Surgery Lounge, requested $200 for magazine/newspaper subscriptions. The request was recommended for full funding.

5. Margaret Hibbs, Patient Representatives, Day of Surgery Lounge, requested $800 to purchase snacks. The request was recommended for full funding.

6. Mary Johnson, Nursing, requested $500 for the purchase of activity materials and safety devices for the new geriatric psych unit on 2JPE. The request was recommended for an additional $250 funding for a total of $750.

7. Mindy Egeland & Kathy Mobley, Patients Library & 2JPW requested $100 to purchase two radios and two tape players for the unit. The unit is locked and patients do not have free access to the Patients' Library. The request was recommended for full funding.

8. Mindy Egeland, Patients Library, requested $1000 to fund paperback best sellers purchased from the Gift Shop. The request was recommended for full funding.

9. Teresa Swift, Washington Outreach Dialysis, requested $400 to purchase a TV and VCR for patient education and diversion. The request was recommended for full funding.

Bits and Pieces

Kudos to volunteer KAY FULL on being named a winner in PROJECT ART's Staff Art Show. Kay entered a water color painting entitled "Secret Barn" and was third place winner in the Painting, Printmaking and Drawing Division. Congratulations, Kay. Included with this edition of the Volunteer Reporter is our annual listing of hours for our adult and junior volunteers with over 50 hours of service. It is impressive to note the accomplishments of our volunteers and we thank you for all your hard word. And speaking of impressive ... be sure to walk by the new 1000 Hour Recognition Plaque in the main lobby! The new display is wonderfully eye-catching and recognizes the accomplishments of the over 200 volunteers who have contributed at least 1000 hours to our program. The parent-student orientation for our 2000 Junior Volunteer Services was held on May 11 with over 100 people in attendance. Over the past few years, we have attempted to strengthen the career component portion of the program and the demand for the JV Program has grown steadily. This year, we will have over 60 students enrolled in the program which will run from June 13 - August 6. Our college student leader board chairperson Jonathan Bailey will assist with the program's day to day operations this year.

Three more volunteers have been awarded the Above and Beyond Award. We extend our congratulations and thanks to: Lynae Haglund Nominated by the staff of 3JPW Sheila Monroe Nominated by the Department of Social Services Jim Kelsey Nominated by Rehab Therapies Congratulations on a job well done!     Mark your calendars for July 24 - 27, 2000 and plan to stop at the Johnson County Fair and visit the Volunteer Booth in the exhibition hall. This is the fourth year that the volunteers will be at the fair and despite the heat, this is a great way for us to tell our story. In the past couple of years, we have recruited several great volunteers to join our program. And speaking of GREAT VOLUNTEERS ... we'll need help staffing the booth. Call Doug at 319-356-1065 if you can help.

Upcoming Events June 7, 2000 Summer Orientation for College Students June 13, 2000 Junior Volunteers begin June 14, 2000 Potluck in the Volunteer Office for all Wednesday volunteers June 26, 2000 Gift Shop Inventory June 29, 2000 MARY SLAY Retirement Party 7th Floor Atrium Dining Room 3:30 - 5 p.m. JOAN BEHRENS Retirement Party - East Room 2 - 4 p.m. August 24, 2000 Potluck in the Volunteer Office for all Thursday volunteers

"I realize just how lucky I am."

Five senior high school volunteers awarded Junior Volunteer Scholarships

Recently, the Advisory Board of the Volunteer Services decided that high school students who have volunteered a minimum of 100 hours during their high school career and have been accepted by an accredited college or university are eligible for a $500 scholarship. For a high school student to volunteer 100 hours, it usually involves a minimum of two years of ongoing volunteering. This is an impressive commitment and the board decided to expand the Junior Volunteer scholarship to all students who meet these guidelines. This year, five students met the criteria and shared their stories with us in writing.

When Iowa City West High School senior and scholarship winner Sriraj Kantamneni began volunteering in June of 1997 as a junior volunteer, little did he realize the impact he would have on the hospital ... and the hospital would have on him. Now, 175 volunteer hours later, Sriraj reflected about his experience.

"One of my first duties as volunteering was delivering flowers. I remember one instance at the beginning of my experience that still encourages me to continue volunteering and that has made it all worthwhile. My first delivery was to an elderly woman in the burn unit after being in a terrible accident. When I knocked on her door and said I had flowers for her, she was ecstatic. Her eyes lit up with gratitude and she practically jumped out of her bed with delight. I have never seen anyone more grateful in my life.

"When I went home after that first day, I felt renewed. I had not realized how much of an impact volunteering would have on my life. Knowing that I was making a difference in someone's recovery has made me realize that I am a part of a large family whose goal is to improve the lives of everyone that is touched by the hospital. Volunteering ... on that very first day ... made me realize the importance of being a part of my community."

Melissa Redeker, a high school student from City High in Iowa City who has been volunteering in our office after school since December of 1998, shared similar experiences. "I have learned to appreciate everything I have in life," said Melissa. "I used to take a lot of things for granted but now I realize how things like health and family and friends can be taken away from you at a moment's notice. Volunteering at the hospital has made me realize just how lucky I am."

The truth of the matter is the Volunteer Services is lucky to have students like Melissa and Sriraj! Each year, nearly 60 Junior Volunteers come to us to give a part of themselves to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The JV's have always added a burst of energy to our summers and many of them continue to volunteer throughout the school year.

This years recipients include:

Brett Flater, a student at Iowa City West High School who has accumulated 174 hours since June of 1996.

SriRaj Kantamneni, a student at Iowa City West High School who has accumulated 175 hours since June of 1997.

Kathryn Langguth, a student at Iowa City West High School who has accumulated over 200 hours since June 1996.

Melissa Redeker, a student at City High School in Iowa City with 111 volunteer hours since December of 1998.

Joanne Wen, a student at Iowa City West High School who has accumulated 150 hours since June of 1996.

Congratulations to all our Junior Volunteer Scholarship winners. The Volunteer Services is proud to help these students

UIHC Staff say THANK YOU...

Since the beginning of the Volunteer Services, your efforts have returned over $2 million to this hospital in contributions and donations. In our office, we maintain a notebook of "thank you" letters ... but here is a sampling from recent notes:

"It is with heartfelt thanks that we send this letter! The VCR's you donated to these units are greatly appreciated. Many of us have experienced lengthy hospital stays. Volunteers are just around the corner with a book to read or the time and patience for a visit. Time and energy are great things and you should be commended for spending yours helping to make someone else's day better. You are an outstanding group of people that deserve recognition for all you do."

Signed by 16 Dialysis
Patients and Staff

"The Patients' Library is pleased that you approved our requests for the disposable patient headphones. These funds will allow us to continue to provide these special patient services. Your willingness to support our ongoing needs ensures continuity in our services. Once again, thank you."

Mindy Egeland, Director
Patients' Library

"Thank you for the Merry Walkers you provided us for our patients on 2JPE/W. They have been going to good use. We had one gentleman who was not safe up walking any other way and with the Merry Walker he was able to be mobile and much happier. Your generosity is much appreciated. Thanks on behalf of the staff and patients on our units."

Mary Johnson, Nurse
2JPE/W

"P.S. Yes, I will keep drinking your yummy coffee and shopping in your great gift shop."

"We are writing to express our profound gratitude to you, your board, and all the many unsung heroes among your volunteer team who made possible the recent $10,000 award to the Hospitals Tutor Program. On behalf of the patients and their families who benefit from the unselfish contribution of our talented tutors, many of them VOLUNTEERS, we send our heartfelt thanks."

Dennis Corwin, Supervisor
University Hospital School

Mark Moser, Administrator
University Hospital School

"Thank you all so much for the needed funds to the Unit. The "Light Escape Relaxation System" will be a welcome addition to our daily hydrotherapy for our patients."

Jaime Sherman, RN
Burn Unit, 8JCP

"The staff at the University Employee Health Clinic extend our sincere thanks to all the volunteers who participated in the recent UIHC staff flu shot program.
You are the best!

Cheryl Person, RN, BSN
Nurse Manager

Two Bus Trips Planned for Volunteers

Those of you who have joined us for our last two day trips to Pella and Galena know what a great time our bus adventures have been. There are few opportunities for us to all be together and these trips (not to mention the bus rides themselves) have been great. The camaraderie, the shopping, the laughter, the food ... it has all been wonderful. We would like to invite you to join us for two more trips we have planned and hope you will mark your calenders now. The fall leaves should be beautiful for our first trip on September 27, 2000, when we will head south to Hannibal, Missouri. Hannibal is the historic village and home of Samuel Langhorne Clemens (Mark Twain) and the "Unsinkable Molly Brown." There will be a wide variety of things to do in this community that boasts of great restaurants, shopping, museums and one of the nations largest and most elegant Christmas shops. On November 29, 2000, we are headed east to Chicago and the malls for a winter shopping trip. Come along and meet new friends, wrap up your holiday shopping and join in the fun. Full details of both trips will be forthcoming. In the meantime, we hope you will block out these days now and plan to join us.