By Ally Knudtson
JAMESTOWN, N.D. (JRMC) – Jamestown Regional Medical Center can’t do the work it does without the work of the volunteers, said Mike Delfs, JRMC President & CEO.
Though volunteerism looked different this spring, one thing remained the same – the volunteers’ commitment to legendary care. Despite the pandemic, volunteers continued to make masks, tummy pillows and provide comfort items for patients.
“On Aug. 13, we were able to see our volunteers, some for the first time since March. Usually, the JRMC Volunteer Appreciation Banquet is held in the spring, however, the pandemic forced us to be creative,” said Regina Olson, JRMC Volunteer & Community Development Coordinator. “We asked our volunteers to drive through our south parking lot to receive a goodie bag and awards. Their presence and help is really missed. This helped us reconnect.”
JRMC presented awards to the 113 volunteers.
Since 1997, those volunteers have donated more than 153,000 hours. Last year alone, they donated more than 7,200 hours.
JRMC volunteers serve in different ways. This includes Telecare, making blankets, tummy pillows and infant hats, personally escorting patients and guests to appointments as well as assembling education packets and mailings. They dedicate time to fundraising events too.
In addition to celebrating the volunteers’ hard work, JRMC also recognized the following:
-Mary Trautman, Legendary Volunteer
-Terry Ukestad, Volunteer of the Year
-Judy Hoyt, Auxilian of the Year
MARY TRAUTMAN
The Legendary volunteer is someone who made a major contribution of time, volunteering throughout his or her lifetime. Trautman has always cared for others and has a lifetime of close ties to the hospital. She worked at the former Jamestown Hospital, as a circulating aide. After she retired, she not only volunteered with JRMC in its hospice program but she also supported JRMC financially.
Trautman and her late husband, Harold, donated $50,000 towards the purchase of one of three operating rooms during the new hospital campaign.
TERRY UKESTAD
Ukestad, JRMC Volunteer of the Year, devotes each Thursday to the Surgery Center desk at JRMC. She also volunteers at Foundation events including Golf “FORE” Good. For three years, Ukestad has volunteered her time to greet and comfort patients and their families.
JUDY HOYT
Hoyt, Auxilian of the Year, has volunteered at JRMC for more than nine years. She supports the Auxiliary through the Gift Shoppe. She also volunteers every Wednesday as a greeter in the JRMC Welcome Center. About 40 individuals belong to the JRMC Auxiliary, which serves as a fundraising element of the hospital.
“JRMC is an award-winning destination of care for many reasons,” said Olson. “One of them is the awesome support from our volunteers and the community.”
In 2020, JRMC received both the Top 20 Critical Access Hospital award from the National Rural Hospital Association as well as a Top 100 Best Places to Work award from Modern Healthcare.
JRMC also recognized the following for their hours of service.
100 hours
Charlotte Freeberg
Mary Gullingrud
Audrey Heupel
DeLoris Lux
Dixie Supler
500 hours
Loretta Jung
Lavina Kleese
Marlene Stafford
1,000 hours
Marlene Axtman
Mary Bertsch
Mary Englund
Lynell Madoe
Joy Neustel
Eunice Sahr
5,000 + hours
Dorothy Chouinard
Mary Trautman
To learn more about volunteering at Jamestown Regional Medical Center, call (701) 952-4809 or visit www.jrmcnd.com/volunteer.
