The Volunteer Vibe
OAKWOOD HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
VOLUNTEER VIBE
Q4 2014
Compassion: Providing care with sincerity, sensitivity and dignity for those we serve.
Respect: Working with integrity and honor in all our relationships.
Excellence: Delivering superior results in the areas of Patient Experience, Physician Alignment, the
Oakwood Team, Financial Health, Our Community and Program Growth.
Diversity: Creating an environment where individual differences maximize our collective capabilities
as a team.
Ownership: Demonstrating personal responsibility for our pride in Oakwood through our behaviors
and actions.
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Volunteer Vibe 4th Quarter 2014
IN THIS ISSUE
Note from Brian Connolly
Garden Club Volunteers
United Airlines, “Ben Flyin”
Social Media Guidelines
Spiritual Support Holiday Gathering
Volunteer Needs
Oakwood Hospital – Southshore Tree of Lights
Note from Gayle Scodellaro
Oakwood Hospital – Dearborn Flood Update
Trick or Treat Pet Therapy
High School Student Volunteer Scholarship Update
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A note from Brian Connolly
President & CEO, Oakwood Healthcare
In spite of what commercials might lead you to believe, the holiday
season is a time of gratitude. That’s particularly true in a healthcare
setting.
No one expects to get sick or hurt at any time, especially during the
holidays–and yet it happens. Any time people come to us for care,
they’re likely to feel scared, lonely and vulnerable. Those feelings
become even more acute when they’re missing holiday celebrations
with friends and family.
Thankfully, you are there for our patients and their loved ones.
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You bring compassion to your work, so they know they’re in good hands.
You bring cheer and companionship, so they know they’re not alone.
You bring solace when news is heartbreaking, and you give them hope.
You see to the many details, so they can focus on recovery and returning to their
families.
You are there for them during the holidays, and they are truly grateful to you. I am grateful to
you as well.
The Oakwood Team has accomplished so much this year, in service to our patients. Of course,
our most significant achievement this year also sets the direction for our future. I am talking
about the formation of Beaumont Health. Building a $4 billion organization takes time,
patience and faith. It requires living with some level of discomfort and uncertainty, knowing
that the results will be worthwhile.
Our success will hinge on our being able to keep the Patient Experience central to all we do –
and I’m certain this will remain constant in 2015 and beyond. I am grateful to you for choosing
to be part of the Oakwood Team and for making Beaumont Health the best place for care in
southeastern Michigan.
Thank you for all you do, and I wish you all the best during the holidays and into the New Year.
Volunteer Vibe 4th Quarter 2014
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Garden Club of Dearborn
Garden Therapy and the PRISM Program
by Patti Mack, President, Garden Club of Dearborn
“In the garden I tend to drop my thoughts here and there. To the flowers I whisper the secrets I keep and the
hopes I breathe. I know they are there to eavesdrop for the angels.” - Dodinsky
The earliest memories of the Garden Club of Dearborn’s therapy group came from Julia Fedoronko, a 48-year
member who joined in 1966. At that time, the Garden Therapy group supported Eloise Hospital on Michigan
Avenue in Wayne. The enthusiastic members planted flowers around the building and in one of the courtyards,
and some also worked in vegetable gardens with patients. Julia remembered making tussie-mussies which are
made to this day for the residents at Oakwood Common. Tussie-mussies are basically a nosegay or posy that is a
small flower bouquet typically given as a gift. They have existed in some form since at least medieval times,
when they were carried or worn around the head or bodice.
The Garden Club of Dearborn’s Therapy Group moved to the Dearborn Heights Convalescent Home on Ford
Road near Beech Daly in the early 1970s. Every spring they planted flowers in their courtyard. They also created
floral arrangements with patients each month and sang songs, accompanied by one of our piano playing
members. When Oakwood Common opened in Dearborn, the group decided to serve our community at that
location. We have provided horticultural therapy every single month since the facility opened.
Originally, all the flowers used for these projects were provided by the members. During the summer months,
every committee member brought flowers and greens from their gardens. In winter, they would canvass the
local funeral homes, asking them to save arrangements for the Garden Club to reassemble for patients,
providing us flowers and large blocks of oasis to re-use. Then a few years ago, member Pat Knoop had the idea
to grow our own flowers, and the Enabling Garden was born. Raised flower beds were provided by the
University of Michigan-Dearborn gardens within the Environmental Interpretive Center. This produces enough
flowers for most of the projects at Oakwood Common, as well as dried flowers for the cold winter months.
Each month year-round, a Therapy Group member designs and gathers supplies for projects. The patients love
our projects and are grateful. Some remember growing flowers in their gardens like the zinnias and marigolds
that are often used in the summer arrangements. Although the group no longer sings, Garden Club member
Jean Johnston plays piano while the group and the patients work on the arrangements.
Another wonderful program the Garden Club of Dearborn supports is Oakwood’s Palliative and Restorative
Integrated Services Model program. Christine Westphal, who directs the PRISM program at Oakwood Hospital –
Dearborn, and Garden Club member Marge Engstrom initiated this collaboration. In 2010, Garden Club member
Sharon Snider volunteered to support the program and is still involved today.
Volunteer Vibe 4th Quarter 2014
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Another blessing is the support we receive from local businesses and volunteers. Harry Miller’s Florist
donates all the beautiful flowers used for the PRISM program every week of the year. While the flowers
donated are not suitable for sale by the florist, they are still in wonderful shape and very beautiful. Sharon
and Marge, along with other members of the Garden Club, collect bud vases so Volunteer Services no
longer has to buy them. For example, Sharon found a resale shop by her cottage up north that gives her a
box or two when she visits.
Oakwood patients truly appreciate the work our Garden Therapy volunteers do, and they often remark how
wonderful it is that someone from Dearborn would think to send them flowers. Sharon tells the story about
riding the elevator a few months ago with a young man, who said he never got any flowers. She told him
that if he was a patient, he would! When he said his wife was a patient in the hospital, Sharon assumed he
was a new father since he was so young. He told her no; his wife was fighting cervical cancer for the third
time. Sharon assured him that his wife would receive a vase—and she delivered it personally.
The Garden Club of Dearborn members are a fantastic group of caring men and women who take pride in
their community, are willing to extend a hand to make our world a more beautiful place to live, and care for
one another on a daily basis. We’ve been so fortunate to have visionary members who make this world a
little brighter.
Volunteer Vibe 4th Quarter 2014
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VOLUNTEERS BRING JOY TO KIDS WHO’VE NEVER “BEN FLYIN”
Michael Chami met a new friend recently. The three year-old, a patient at
Oakwood’s Center for Exceptional Families, received a small stuffed teddy
bear named Ben Flyin and his personal passport as part of United Airlines
Adventure Bear program.
The Adventure Bear program, which involves United employees partnering with
hospitals nationwide to deliver teddy bears to children in their care. The
program is supported through the generous cash and Mileage Plus holiday
contributions to the American Cancer Society. The program is one way the
company is increasing its volunteer efforts and giving back to the community.
United Airlines employees visit the pediatric unit at Oakwood Hospital –
Dearborn and Oakwood's Center for Exceptional Families to deliver Ben Flyin,
a teddy bear, and his passport to children on Oct. 15, 2014.
The effort was coordinated in tandem with Oakwood’s volunteer services.
Children in pediatrics at Oakwood Hospital – Dearborn and at Oakwood’s
Center for Exceptional Families, received the bears.
“It brings us together as a team to do something outside of work and honestly
it’s a lot of fun. We do it once a year right before the holidays so it’s extra special,” said Nimir Jaffer, a United Airlines employee and
Dearborn resident who has coordinated the event for the past three years. “We chose Oakwood because we know they are committed
to helping the community and it brings so much joy to the kids. Plus, both my brother and I were born at Oakwood Dearborn, so it’s
especially meaningful to me.”
Dana Callery, far left, delivers a teddy bear to three year-old Michael Chami
and his mom Angela Khater, both of Dearborn.
Chami was pleasantly surprised to be a recipient of such a special and
unexpected gift. “He has been working with Dr. Youngs for a language delay with his speech,” said Angela Khater, Michael’s mom. “He
started by saying one word and not being able to express himself very well. Now, after six months of therapy and treatment, he is able
to use complete sentences. He continues to work with the experts at the Center to advance his progress and communication.”
Each year for the past three years, United Airlines hosts a contest asking employees from all across the organization to help name the
bear. After more than 800 submissions, Ben Flyin officially joined his siblings Rhonda Globe and Oliver D. World. “The passport allows
kids to experience where he’s been. It’s especially meaningful for kids who haven’t had a chance to fly yet,” added volunteer Mitchell
Osman.
Volunteer Vibe 4th Quarter 2014
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Social media tools allow people to share, collaborate and publish on the Internet. It is
An online “conversation” that happens on sites such as Facebook and Twitter as well
as in blogs, forums and other types of interactive sites.
While at home, some Oakwood personnel/volunteers may be interested in engaging in
Internet conversations to support Oakwood’s organizational objectives. We recognize the
networking opportunities social media offers and truly appreciate the support staff and
volunteers provide in promoting Oakwood’s mission, vision and values in the community.
We encourage sharing your passion for Oakwood with others and remind you, even while
not at Oakwood, to keep following policies and guidelines in mind.
Follow all applicable Oakwood Policies. For example, you must not share confidential
or proprietary information about Oakwood, and you must maintain patient privacy. Among
the policies most pertinent to this discussion are those concerning patient confidentiality,
government affairs, mutual respect, political activity, computer, e-mail and internet use,
photography and video and release of patient information to media. Social media is a
dynamic medium with Web sites, technology, access constantly evolving.
Whenever in doubt about the appropriateness of posting any content, contact Strategic
Communications at 313.586.5400.
Remember: knowingly releasing patient information is in violation of HIPAA and can
result in a one-year jail sentence and a $50,000 fine.
The most important aspect to remember about social networking is that Oakwood’s
Electronic communication policy and other policies apply in this medium. In any
Electronic communication you should always adhere to our core values of Compassion,
Respect, Excellence, Diversity and Ownership. Before participating in any of these activities,
please familiarize yourself with the following policies found on OakNet or ask your
volunteer representative for assistance.
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Electronic communication
policy
HIPAA privacy information
Internet usage policy
Organizational code of conduct
Behavioral standards
Volunteer Vibe 4th Quarter 2014
SOCIAL NETWORKS encourage
people to stay in contact with each
other, often centered on the
interests of their users (business
networks, friends networks, tastes in
music, etc.)
BLOGS are (mostly individual) web
sites with regular entries of
commentary or description of
events, which can be commented by
readers. Many blogs have become a
respected news sources in the fields
of politics, science, technology, and
entertainment.
WIKIS are collection of web pages
designed to allow anyone who
accesses them to add or modify their
content. They are typically used to
store the collective knowledge of
communities.
EVALUATION COMMUNITIES provide
collective evaluations (ratings) and
comments on already existing web
content or consumer products.
TAGGING COMMUNITIES add
categorizing keyword (tags) to
existing online content, making it
easier for other people to find and
digest it.
SOCIAL MEDIA AGGREGATORS are
tools to display content from various
sources traditional news sources and
news from the tools described
above. This eliminates the need to
visit many different websites to stay
up-to-date.
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Oakwood-Dearborn Spiritual Support Volunteer Holiday Gathering
Twenty-three Oakwood Hospital – Dearborn Spiritual Support volunteers celebrated the holidays on November 21
at the Oakwood Wellness Center. Chaplain Marianne Burnett, spiritual support volunteer coordinator, offered a
Thanksgiving devotional, adding how grateful she is to the volunteers for all they do. There were plenty of snacks,
punch, sharing of stories, and games—with a grand prize going to Richard Adamian for finding a Christmas tree
sticker on the bottom of his plate. Richard won a gift card to Branches, the Oakwood Hospital Gift Shop.
Volunteering at Oakwood has meant so much to these people. It has changed their lives, in addition to the
countless patients whose lives have been touched by a visit from a spiritual support volunteer.
We need your assistance!
Ask your friends to join the Oakwood Volunteer Program. Oakwood Taylor and Oakwood Southshore are in need of
volunteers for the following areas:
• GIFT SHOP
• WELCOME CENTER GREETERS
• EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT GREETERS
• NURSING UNIT VOLUNTEERS
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT VOLUNTEER SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE EBONY CONNER AT
[email protected].
What’s happening at Oakwood Hospital – Southshore: The Tree of Lights
Once again, the volunteers at Oakwood Hospital - Southshore contributed hours of skill and love to
create the “Tree of Lights.” Norma Horvath took the lead, bringing in a volunteer team on
November 21 to set up this spectacular display in the hospital’s main lobby.
2014 marks the 24th year Oakwood Southshore has sponsored the “Tree of Lights”. It is surrounded
by the Angels of Southshore, and our major sponsors and honorees are listed near the tree. A Book
of Honor is also on display, featuring pages dedicated to those being honored or memorialized
along with the donors’ names.
When you’re at Oakwood Southshore this holiday season, be sure to take a look.
A Note from the Manager of Volunteer Services
I am glad to take this opportunity to thank every one of you for the services you have
provided throughout this past year. Oakwood is incredibly fortunate to have such
dedicated volunteers. This year, you have shared your gifts in so many ways: escorting
patients, serving the emergency departments and unit nursing areas, working in the gift
shop, providing spiritual support, and so many more. Thank you for sharing your
compassion to ensure Patients Come First.
Enjoy this holiday season!
Gayle Scodellaro
Manager, Volunteer Services
The Volunteer Services department will be closed from December 24, 2014 until Monday January 5,
2015. We wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!
Construction continues to
restore the emergency
department at Oakwood
Hospital – Dearborn.
The unit is expected to
reopen in March 2015.
Trick or Treat from Pet Therapy
On special occasions, each of Oakwood’s three pet therapy groups—Fur
Angels, Pet a Pet and Therapy Dog International—dress up their therapy
dogs to celebrate. This Halloween, Pet a Pet took photos of their visit to
Oakwood Hospital – Taylor.
These amazing animals faithfully bring joy, smiles and laughter to our
patients and their families.
Photos courtesy of Pet a Pet
Attention High School Student Volunteers graduating in 2015
2015 volunteer scholarship applications will be available starting January 5.
Please contact your Volunteer Representative.