26-04-2025
‘Boots on the ground'; Ascension Sacred Heart Bay celebrates hospital volunteers
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – When you walk into a hospital, odds are the first person you'll meet isn't a doctor or a nurse, it's a volunteer with a big smile and maybe a map.
They are there to greet you, help you find what you're looking for, or get you going to where you need to be. While they aren't on the payroll, officials say volunteers are the heartbeat of the hospital.
'They are boots on the ground, they are immersed in the experience that our patients have. So, from the point of picking them up in the parking lot and bringing them into our main entrance, they have very important insight that helps us improve the experience for patients,' Ascension Sacred Heart Bay CEO Robin Godwin said.
Volunteers were honored during a luncheon on Friday, where they could eat and mingle with others.
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Curtis Gray has been volunteering at Ascension Bay since last year.
'I'm like, 'are you lost?' They were like, Yes, this is a big place. Where are you going? They'll tell me and I'll take them where they need to go,' Gray said.
He says it's all about the people.
'I like people. I like talking to people; a lot of times, they're dealing with situations. You know, a loved one is in the hospital, and it's a chance to relieve a little bit of their stress, give them a little bit of, you know, do something nice, say something nice to them, and whatever it takes,' Gray said.
Ascension Bay currently has between 35-40 volunteers, including some furry ones.
At the luncheon, those who hit a milestone in their volunteer hours were also honored with a special pin.
If you want to know more about Ascension's volunteer program, click here.
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