It was a star-studded event this afternoon, as Phoebe celebrated their volunteers at the Annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon, held at the Bindery at Oakland Library. This year’s luncheon featured a Hollywood theme with the volunteers being the stars! All of the 492 volunteers were honored for their compassion and commitment to serving the community. Additionally, Phoebe named Mary Bullion as the 2017 Volunteer of the Year in recognition of her dedicated volunteer service to the organization.
 
Mary has been a dedicated Phoebe volunteer for the last 23 years, donating 3,400 hours of service. She began volunteering in the Emergency Center in 1994, not long after moving to Albany when her husband Jim became rector at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, and has been a fixture in the EC ever since.
 
The EC staff sees Mary as a vital part of their team. They say she is perceptive about what is going on around her and knows how to assist them without getting in the way. They recognize how much she cares about the patients and their families, and they have great respect for her skills and dedication.
 
When she is not in the EC, Mary can also be found helping cancer patients in the infusion center. In 2012, Mary was part of a group of volunteers that piloted and developed what is now known as Relaxation Therapy/Gentle Touch. She helped educate the Phoebe staff on the benefits of gentle touch and, along with other volunteers, patiently worked through all the necessary steps to begin the program. Today, because of her hard work, Relaxation Therapy/Gentle Touch is a successful program benefitting the lives of many going through challenging cancer treatments.
 
“I can’t thank the staff enough for making me feel a part of the team. I truly enjoy what I do and working with the patients. I honestly think I have gained more than I have given,” said Mary Bullion, 2017 Phoebe Volunteer of the Year.
 
The volunteer of the year is chosen by the volunteer advisory board, which receives nominations from departments throughout the health system.
 
Phoebe’s volunteers represent a wide age range and include 492 men and women who support approximately 80 different areas throughout Phoebe. During the 2016-2017 year, volunteers gave 55,532 hours of service.
 
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact the Department of Volunteer Services at (229) 312-4336.