Bridgeport Hospital thanks volunteers for service

BRIDGEPORT, CT (May 12, 2017) – More than 40 volunteers and auxiliary members were recognized for special achievement and service milestones of 100 - 19,000 lifetime hours at Bridgeport Hospital’s April 24 Volunteer Recognition Luncheon at Testo’s Restaurant in Bridgeport.

“You sow the seeds of hope and encouragement for patients, their loved one and colleagues,” said President and CEO William M. Jennings in thanking volunteers for their contributions.

Jennings said the hospital’s more than 600 volunteers served over 27,000 hours in the past year, including more than 6,300 by Bridgeport Hospital Auxiliary members.

The volunteers in the hospital’s auxiliary-run gift shop received a special award.

“Visitors come to the shop for a variety of occasions, many just for a respite from taking care of loved ones,” said Senior Vice President of Operations Marc Brunetti. “The shop is also a convenience for staff seeking greeting cards, gifts and other items.”

Brunetti noted that during a recent visit, a Department of Health official said Bridgeport Hospital has the best gift shop in the state.

Volunteers with the most lifetime hours are Joan Crossman of Fairfield with 19,000, Anne Lussen of Stratford with 14,500, and Stratford resident Mary Ann Peterson and Gina Ryan of Trumbull with 14,000 each.

In addition to the gift shop, volunteers assist in many areas of the hospital such as the emergency department and operating room waiting areas, as patient escorts and in other patient relations roles.

Bridgeport Hospital, part of Yale New Haven Health, is a non-profit 501-bed acute care hospital with two campuses (plus 42 beds licensed to Yale New Haven Children's Hospital). Its Bridgeport and Milford Campuses serve patients from across the region. The hospital admits more than 23,000 patients and provides nearly 350,000 outpatient treatments annually. The Connecticut Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital is the only burn center in the state and one of only 64 verified burn centers in the United States. Bridgeport Hospital is committed to providing safe, compassionate and cost efficient care to its patients and the community. www.bridgeporthospital.org