Gail Kennedy, a long-time volunteer at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), was part of a group which was recently honored for their work and dedication to enhancing the patient care experience at the hospital.
Ms. Kennedy currently volunteers at the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre. Jill Richardson, Manager of the Volunteer Services Program at the QEH, and Liz Dobbin, Manager of the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre, recently presented Ms. Kennedy with a recognition pin in honor of the 6000 hours of volunteer service she has given to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and PEI Hospital.
Ms. Richardson said, “Gail is regarded as a founder of volunteerism within the hospital setting as she began her volunteer experience more than thirty years ago when she served in a volunteer capacity with the PEI Hospital providing care to Pediatric patients.”
Ms. Kennedy has also been involved in various volunteer positions with the QEH Auxiliary earning Life Member status. In addition to her work with the Auxiliary, Gail was the first Executive Director of Island Hospice and continues to support that organization today.
In 1998, Gail returned to volunteer with QEH Volunteer Services when she had a desire to again have close contact with patients. Due to her experience with Island Hospice in Palliative Care, Gail was assigned volunteer work in the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre.
“In this capacity, Gail has shown discretion, compassion and kindness to hundreds of oncology patients throughout the years and is an extremely valued care provider in this Centre,” noted Ms. Dobbin.
Ms. Dobbin added, “I have come to depend on Gail for valuable feedback and insight. Gail is very sensitive to the needs of our patients. She has been responsible for many welcome additions to the Centre including a tea maker, patient tables, and decorating changes. She is also a valued member of the Cancer Care Hospital Accreditation Team.”
Ms. Richardson noted, “I feel privileged and honoured to have Gail volunteering within our Volunteer Services Department. Her various experiences and leadership abilities provide us with a perspective that is always valued. Volunteers have a lot of pride in the hospital and staff appreciate the efforts of volunteers such as Gail to enhance the quality of care we offer.
“The Volunteer Services Program at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital continues to grow steadily and we are fortunate to have more than 500 Islanders from 15 to 85 years of age volunteer their time and talents. Their day-to-day acts of kindness and support to patients and staff make them all very important members of our hospital care team.”
Over the past year, the QEH has benefitted from the services of 385 adult and 132 youth volunteers. Collectively, they have provided 28,067 hours of volunteer service providing a cost savings of more than $500,000.
At a recent Volunteer Recognition Dinner held at the hospital the following volunteers were presented with pins for long-standing volunteer service:
500 Hour Pin
Marion Henry, Cheryl Locke, Melinda Murray, Heather MacDonald, Marc McKearney, Pushpal Narasimhalu, Muggie Price, Vidhath Shetty, Marilyn Walker
1000 Hour Pin
Marg Fitzpatrick, Mary H. MacDonald, Cindy MacKenzie, Regena McCloskey, Joan Savidant, Kay Trainor
1500 Hour Pin
Helen MacGregor, Mervin MacInnis, Eleanor Tremere
2000 Hour Pin
Art Doucette, Mary Doyle, Johanna Enserink, Sr. Anne MacDonald, Hazel MacLeod, Mary MacWiliams, Jack Meredith, Marie Toole
2500 Hour Pin
Joyce Harrington
3000 Hour Pin
Jean Green, Jerry MacDonald
3500 Hour Pin
Hazel MacDonald
4500 Hour Pin
Shirley McGinn
6000 Hour Pin
Gail Kennedy