Natividad Celebrates 59 Years of Volunteerism

1. Natividad Celebrates 59 Years of Volunteerism National Volunteer Week is April 7-13 Salinas, CA, March 15, 2019 —Natividad is celebrating National Volunteer Week from April 7-13 and honoring all of its volunteers with a Volunteer Recognition Luncheon April 10. “For 59 years, Natividad’s Auxiliary volunteers have been the familiar and friendly faces for all of our patients and visitors,” said Natividad’s CEO Dr. Gary Gray. “Whether they’re helping hospital staff, selling get-well cards in the Gift Shop or assisting patients and visitors at the information desks, volunteers are essential to our hospital.” In 2018, the 375-member Auxiliary provided 40,917 hours of service to Natividad. These volunteers include young adults seeking work experience in a professional environment, college and high school students who have medical careers in mind, and retired seniors who wish to remain active and be of service to the community. “More than half of our volunteers are fluent in both English and Spanish, which is a plus in our multilingual community,” said Natividad’s Human Resources Administrator Janine Bouyea. “They perform a wide range of essential, non-medical activities that help visitors and patients access the hospital and our services.” In addition to welcoming guests at the front desk, volunteers oversee and coordinate other important activities and services. Volunteers provide concierge service to families in waiting rooms, Pet Therapy Service, assistance with patient portal sign up, spiritual care, Infant Cuddler Program, patient and specimen transport, staffing for the Gift Shop, clerical support for administrative offices, meal delivery to patients, guide hospital tours and support courier service within the facility. “Volunteers can be a friendly face to patients and family members,” Bouyea said. “Sometimes just a smile or warm greeting can help our guests who are anxious or worried. Our Pet Therapy dogs, Bobo and Beah, also help distract patients and can be very calming for animal lovers. ” Natividad is hosting a recognition luncheon for volunteers and auxiliary staff on April 10. Natividad Foundation President and CEO Jennifer Williams is scheduled as keynote speaker. “Volunteering is vital in helping to create a healthy community and providing valuable services to Natividad,” Dr. Gray said.“Our dedicated volunteers provide thousands of hours of essential services to our hospital. We are extremely grateful and proud to honor our team of volunteers in tribute to National Volunteer Week and the Volunteer Auxiliary’s service to Natividad.”

2. For more information or to join Natividad’s Volunteer Auxiliary, please call (831) 755-4215 or email Sylvia Guzman at guzmans@natividad.com About Natividad Natividad is an acute care hospital and Trauma Center providing high-quality health care to everyone in Monterey County, regardless of ability to pay. Located in Salinas, Calif., Natividad is a public health care system offering a wide range of inpatient, outpatient, emergency, diagnostic and specialty medical care. Founded in 1886, the 172-bed medical center has more than 10,000 admissions and 52,000 emergency visits annually. Home to the area’s only Level II Trauma Center, the hospital’s specialized personnel, equipment and services provide a vital local community service that saves lives and keeps patients close to home. Natividad’s Baby-Friendly® facility delivered more than 2,200 babies last year and is affiliated with UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals. It also operates an accredited Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, giving the tiniest and most fragile babies — some as small as one pound —  the best chance for a healthy start. Through its UCSF-accredited Family Medicine Residency Training Program, Natividad is the only teaching hospital on the Central Coast. For more information, please call (831) 755-4111 or visit www.natividad.com. Contact: Marci Bracco Chatterbox PR Salinas, CA 831-747-7455 marci@chatterboxpublicrelations.com http://www.natividad.com