Scripps Volunteers Recognized

Scripps Health’s volunteers were honored Monday at a luncheon at the San Diego Marriott La Jolla as part of National Volunteer Week. More than 500 or about a quarter of Scripps’ nearly 2,000 volunteers attended the event.

At the luncheon, Scripps CEO and President Chris Van Gorder accepted a declaration from the city of San Diego proclaiming April 13-17: Scripps National Volunteer Week.

“At Scripps we couldn’t deliver the same level of care that we do without our volunteers- it’s that simple,” Van Gorder said in a newsletter that volunteers received.

”Whether visiting with a patient during a difficult hospital stay, helping a lost family member find their destination, knitting at home, or providing companionship and emotional support to hospice patients, your commitment and dedication enhance the health care experience,” Van Gorder said.

Volunteers were recognized for donating their time in support of Scripps patients, staff and visitors. Last year, 1,898 Scripps volunteers donated 233,373 hours across the five-hospital campus system. This represented the equivalent of 114 full-time staff members.

Volunteers from all the hospital campuses were represented and recognized for their generous donation of their time and service.

In 2014:

• Scripps La Jolla’s 733 volunteers contributed 76,353 hours.

• Scripps Encinitas’ 210 volunteers contributed 32,600 hours.

• Scripps Green and Scripps Clinic’s 351 volunteers contributed 47,553 hours.

• Scripps Mercy Hospitals’ 536 volunteers contributed 69,761 hours.

• Scripps Hospice’s 98 volunteers contributed 7,106 hours.
  

Among the volunteers were 66 pet therapy teams that donated 4,092 hours last year and made 18,299 patient visits. A special pet therapy party was held on Friday outside Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla for Scripps therapy dogs and their handlers.

A growing body of research indicates that volunteering provides not just social benefits but individual health benefits as well. Other benefits include improved physical and mental health and greater life satisfaction.

Are you newly retired? Or an empty nester? Want to stay engaged in the community?

Learn how to become a volunteer at Scripps by visiting www.scripps.org/volunteer.