The staff of Volunteer Services: Mary Amneche, Twila Barnes, Andrea Fusaro, Mary Ann Heither, Sandy Joynt, Liz Owen, Judy Quigley, Jean Reed, Patty Sterner, Bernie Wagner

Volunteers honored at 1000+ Hour Luncheon Thursday, November 20
Five volunteers were welcomed into the 1000+ hour club at our last luncheon in the East Room on November 20.

Marilyn Brodie began volunteering in April of 2000 and has contributed over 1000 hours in Pastoral Services.

Teresa Cox began volunteering over 10 years ago as a Junior Volunteer and is now a regular at Rooftop Café.

Marsha Karniski began volunteering in 1992 and also contributed at Rooftop. She currently volunteers in Oncology Registry.

James Kelsey has spent the past eight years volunteering in Physical Therapy.

Twyla Morlan was recruited by her sister, volunteer Linda Patterson, in 1998 and has worked over 1,000 hours on sock monkeys and baby hats from her home.

Betty Remington was honored for a remarkable 5,000 hours of service here. Betty began volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House in 1983 and has since offered her support in the Gift Shop and Fourth Floor Salon. Congratulations to all for their exceptional achievements. Our next 1000+hour luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday, March 24.

5,000 hour honoree Betty Remington (left) accepts a token of appreciation from UI Hospitals and Clinics Director and CEO, Donna Katen-Bahensky (right), as Volunteer Services director Mary Ameche (center) looks on.

Important: Professional Appearance Policy Adopted
Effective January 1, 2004, our hospital is adopting a new professional appearance policy for all staff, faculty, physicians, students, and volunteers.

In brief, all staff, faculty, physicians, students and volunteers are required to wear a UI Health Care photo identification badge visible above the waist at all times when on-duty at our hospital and are expected to present a professional personal appearance. No blue jeans or shorts are allowed. Clothing should be clean, neat, in good condition and fit properly. Footwear appropriate to the job duties is required; beach type shoes such as flip-flops are not acceptable. Tank tops, halter tops and clothing that leaves the midriff or back exposed are inappropriate attire. Tattoos and body art with wording or images that may be perceived as offensive should be covered during work. Certain work areas will have more specific requirements, including uniforms, as identified by unit staff supervisors.

Our personal taste and conduct must reflect concern and respect for the diverse group of individuals served at UI Hospitals and Clinics and instill confidence in the professional care provided here. We look forward to playing our part in presenting a unified professional appearance at our hospital! If you have questions after reviewing the new policy, please contact Volunteer Services, 356-1241.

Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award
Congratulations to volunteers Walter "Mark" Houston, Barbara Mason, Erica Meyer and Jean Whiting, who were all nominated for ABCD awards by Cancer Information Service staff for their supportive work there. Volunteer Judith Parkhurst also received an ABCD Award in recognition of her outstanding service leadership in the Family Care Center. We are proud to have their contributions recognized in this special way!

Other Volunteer News
Volunteer Travels — A great time was had by all who participated in the Volunteer Chicago trip on November 21. Our bus was full with 22 guests attending Drury Lane's Celebration on Ice along with 27 shopping guests. Because "we aim to please" a survey was passed out to our attendees asking them where they would like to go in 2004. If you are interested in future trips, please stop by the volunteer office and complete a survey. All suggestions are greatly appreciated. Special thanks to our hard-working Event Planning Committee: Volunteers Connie Delaney, Rhoda Vernon, Wilma Evans, Jan Weigelt and staff member Mary Ann Heither…each trip gets better and better!

Congratulations Shane Cerone — on his recent appointment to a new position as Senior Assistant Director at our hospital. Previously, Shane had acted as the administrative liaison for Volunteer Services and his advocacy and stewardship over the years has been invaluable. Thank you, Shane, and best wishes to you in your exciting new role!

Cut-a-thon to benefit "Look Good, Feel Better" — Join the Fourth Floor Salon Thursday, February 26, in the Atrium lobby for this fun new event! Call 356-1996 to schedule a time for a cut or stop by to purchase salon products that day and proceeds will fund wig bank wigs and other supplies supporting the Look Good Feel Better program, offered at no charge to patients here. Cosmetologists and Activities Therapists help our cancer and other patients improve their appearance and self-image by teaching hands-on techniques to overcome appearance-related side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

New man in the office…VIC! — The Volunteer Information Center (VIC for short) is up and running in the Volunteer Services office. VIC is installed at a new "touch screen" equipped PC where volunteers can sign in and out, receive messages from Volunteer Services, and even check parts of their records. Information gathered at VIC goes directly into the VolunteerWorks database and improves communications with volunteers. This pilot is aimed primarily at volunteers currently contributing during regular business hours on the 8^th floor of the hospital, but may be seen at other areas throughout our facility in the future. Come check it out and let us know what you think!

Your earnings at work
The Volunteer Services Board approved the following fund requests for November:

1. Jane Utech, Holden Cancer Clinic, funding of $666.58 for a Chester Chest for central line patient education.
2. Carol Winter, OB/Gyn Clinic, $900 to purchase booklets for Mothering Multiples-Breastfeeding.
3. Mindy Egeland, Patients Library,$872.32 to continue the purchase of magazine subscriptions.
4. Mindy Egeland, Patients’ Library, $1000 for the purchase of best seller aperback books from the Wild Rose Gifts.
5. Mindy Egeland, Patients’ Library, $1516.80 for rental books from McNaughton Book Service.
6. Mindy Egeland, Patients’ Library, $1400 to purchase a software system to allow access to health information videos and handouts in Spanish and English.
7. Kent Ambler & Kim Lopez, 4JCE & CVICU, funds of $1500 to purchase 12 CD/tape players w/headphones.
8. J. Jensen & J. Heinle, 8JCP & MSI, $1200 for a washer/dryer.
9. Kellie Johnson, Child Psych, $500 to purchase children’s activity items for use in Psych clinic while patients are waiting for appointments.
10. Ami Gaarde, 4JPE, funding of $99 for the continuation of the bereavement program.

The total of these approved requests was $9,654.70

In addition, Lou Ann Montgomery, Nursing Services and Patient Care, presented a special request to Volunteer Services, and received approval through the Board for funding for the library in the new Nursing Clinical Education Center. An initial $26,533 was approved with up to $50,000 additional funding available pending specific information on the use of the funds. In appreciation, Volunteer Services will be named as the library’s sponsor.

As always: Update your TB test annually during your birthday month
In accordance with recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, all University of Iowa Health Care employees, students and volunteers are required to undergo an annual TB test in the University Employee Health Clinic (UEHC).

It is your responsibility to report to the UEHC, first floor Boyd Tower, any time between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Friday annually during your birth month. Bring your green patient identification card with you to the UEHC (obtainable from registration in the main lobby). This annual review is mandated by hospital policy and compliance is a condition of continued employment for all University of Iowa Health Care employees, students, and volunteers. Thank you for protecting yourself as well as our patients by complying with this important regulation.

Mark your calendars

• January 1: University Holiday — Volunteer Office closed
• January 19: University Holiday — Volunteer Office closed
• January 25: Spring College Student Volunteer Orientations
• January 26-28: Staff, Faculty and Volunteer Forums, presented by Donna Katen-Bahensky, Director and CEO, UI Hospitals and Clinics, contact Volunteer Services for times and locations
• February 10: Contributions and Donations Committee Meeting
• February 24: Volunteer Services Advisory Board Meeting
• February 26: Fourth Floor Salon Cut-a-Thon in Atrium lobby to benefit Look Good, Feel Better
• March 24: 1000+ Hour Volunteer Luncheon, East Room

2003 Graduating High School Senior Scholarship Awards