New York City – The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) recently honored 17 volunteers who represent more than 8,000 men and women who have dedicated nearly one million hours of service to the City’s public hospitals over the last year. The volunteers serve as interpreters, patient advocates, escorts, chaplains and in many other important roles. The awards ceremony was held Thursday, May 3, 2007 at Bellevue Hospital Center.

“Those we honor today are a vital part of our commitment to render the best possible care to our patients and their families,” said HHC President Alan D. Aviles. “The generosity of our volunteers with their time – and their hearts – touches our patients in a variety of reassuring and therapeutic ways that helps to deepen our holistic approach to healing.”

Dr. John Imperio, President of the Medical and Dental Staff at Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Center and Home, was chosen as the HHC’s Volunteer of the Year for his commitment to patient safety as volunteer Chairman of the Wound Committee. He has devoted more than 1,400 hours of consultation to patients.

In addition, one special volunteer from each of the 11 HHC acute care facilities and four nursing facilities were recognized for their exceptional service and dedication to the public hospitals. Those honored were:

Manhattan

• Wiepske Larsen, Bellevue Hospital Center
• Josephine Roberson, Coler-Goldwater Specialty Hospital and Nursing Facility (Coler Campus)
• Hyacinth Hutchinson, Coler-Goldwater Specialty Hospital and Nursing Facility (Goldwater Campus)
• Quan Sen Weng, Governeur Healthcare Services
• Reverend Claude Mann, Harlem Hospital Center
• Jose Diaz, Metropolitan Hospital Center

Brooklyn

• Ved Gera, Coney Island Hospital
• Beverly Ann Noel, Kings County Hospital Center
• Isaiah Fauntleroy, Dr. Susan Smith McKinney Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
• Rachna Daryanani, Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center

Bronx

• Amanda McFadden, Jacobi Medical Center
• Miguel Green, Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center
• Aida Vega, North Central Bronx Hospital

Queens

• Lillian Finkelstein, Elmhurst Hospital Center
• Evelyn Gerlach, Queens Hospital Center

Staten Island

• Anna Puglia, Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Center and Home

HHC’s volunteers provide invaluable services such as assisting with art therapy programs, helping out in patient libraries, greeting visitors, shuttling patients to and from chapel services, organizing fundraisers, providing grief counseling and entertaining children.

The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC), the largest municipal hospital and health care system in the country, is a $4.9 billion public benefit corporation that serves 1.3 million New Yorkers and nearly 400,000 who are uninsured. HHC provides medical, mental health and substance abuse services through its 11 acute care hospitals, four skilled nursing facilities, six large diagnostic and treatment centers and more than 80 community based clinics. For more information about HHC, visit nyc.gov/hhc.

Staten Island: HHC President Alan D. Aviles and Chairperson Charlynn Goins congratulate Volunteer of the Year Dr. John Imperio (center) from Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation and Home.	Bronx: Volunteers Aida Vega from North Central Bronx Hospital and Amanda McFadden from Jacobi Medical Center.

Brooklyn: Volunteers Rachna Daryanani from Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center, Ved Gera from Coney Island Hospital, Isaiah Fauntleroy from Dr. Susan Smith McKinney Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Beverly Ann Noel from Kings County Hospital Center.	Manhattan: Volunteers Josephine Roberson and Hyacinth Hutchinson from Coler-Goldwater Speciality Hospital and Nursing Facility, Reverend Claude Mann from Harlem Hospital Center and Wiepske Larsen from Bellevue Hospital Center.

Queens: Jayne Maeker, Director of Volunteer Services of Elmhurst Hospital Center congratulates Elmhurst volunteer Lillian Finkelstein. Volunteer Evelyn Gerlach from Queens Hospital Center receives thanks from Andrea Adams, Director of Volunteer Services at Queens.