A program called Memories Videos sponsored by Volunteer Services at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics recently won the Extraordinary Program Award from T he American Society of Directors of Volunteer Services (ASDVS).
"Memories Videos is a volunteer program that creates individual memory videos focusing on the life of a patient who is battling life-threatening illness," said Jean Reed, associate director of Volunteer Services. "The program addresses the emotional needs of families dealing with life-threatening issues in a positive and life-affirming manner. And when the outcome of the patient's battle against disease is not what was hoped, the videos become a most meaningful and treasured keepsake for the loved ones who have been left behind."
Each Memory Video, created by a skilled volunteer, is individualized and reflects the wishes of the patient and their family, Reed says. "The video may include footage of the patient; on-camera interviews with family members, friends, or caregivers; pictures from the family photo album ... whatever the patient or their family requests. Music is added to the background to create a very special video scrapbook of the patient's life."
Reed says that although all patients are eligible for the service, "The primary users have been pediatric patients and their families. This was not initially expected, but in hindsight it does make sense. Pediatric patients have fewer mementos of their young lives and these families are especially motivated to create lasting memories. In many cases, this record of their life becomes central to the grieving process. Families who have received this service describe it as very healing and rewarding ... a priceless gift."
Memories Video request forms are included in an informational brochure available on the program. To create a video, families submit this request form to Volunteer Services. The time to takes to create a video depends on the family, Reed says. "Sometimes they want a memento made quickly and our volunteer does her best to accommodate those requests. Usually, however, it takes anywhere from a couple weeks to a month or longer for families to get their photos and video together and for the final product to be created."
The value in the Memories Videos project reaches far beyond the families who were the original motivation for developing the videos, Reed says. "The patient benefits, too. The making of the video helps them realize the impact they have had in the lives of others, including their health care team.
"There is gain for staff members as well. Participating in the creation of these gifts gives our staff an opportunity to slow down for a moment and reflect on the impact these special patients have on their lives. The video gives staff and faculty the opportunity to express their care and share the impact of the patient and family on their lives."
Reed says the reward for the volunteer providing the service is profound. "Our primary volunteer, Iowa City citizen extraordinaire Kris Westphal, has been with us since the inception of the program and has spent more than 1,200 hours creating these gifts. This fact alone speaks volumes on the rewarding nature of the program.
"And of course, we knew the families would most directly benefit by actually receiving the gift of the video itself-a gesture beyond what might be expected from a health care provider-a very personal memento of their loved one, a gift that provides them comfort at a time of great loss.
Regarding the award that recognized the Memories Videos program: "The ASDVS is a professional organization affiliated with the American Hospital Association. In partnership with Growing Family First Foto, they sponsor what is basically a best practices award in hospital volunteer programming," Reed says. "The winners then offer a presentation during our national conference. To be eligible, the program or service must have functioned successfully for at least three years within a health care organization and be a unique and original idea, and the program must demonstrate substantial benefit to the service recipients, the health care organization, and the volunteer(s) providing the service."
A committee of the Volunteer Services department's peers reviewed the applications and only two programs were chosen. "This is just a tremendous honor for us. Of course, it is a financial bonus in that the sponsors underwrite the conference and travel expenses of the winners, but the real benefit is to be able to share this program with professionals from hospitals all over the country," says Reed. "We do fabulous work here at our hospital and it is wonderful to have that recognized publicly.
"I also hope there will be many in attendance who go home thinking, 'How can we adopt that program in our hospital?' Then the real winners will be all the patients and families across the country who could receive similarly priceless gifts from their health care providers."
If a listener wants to learn more about the Memories Videos program or volunteering at UI Hospitals and Clinics, "I would love to talk with them," Reed says. "Just give us a call at 356-2515 or , visit our Web site." |
