Humanitarians of the Year Named

PALM COAST, Fla., December 14, 2017 On Dec. 7, the Florida Hospital Flagler Foundation honored the Humanitarians of the Year: the volunteers for Florida Hospital Flagler and the Florida Hospital HospiceCare.

This recognition is awarded annually by the Florida Hospital Flagler Foundation to recognize those who have made a substantial contribution to the community, both in personal time and energy, as well as financial support.

During a banquet at the Halifax Golf and Country Club, Florida Hospital Flagler CEO Dr. Ron Jimenez thanked the volunteers for their dedication and service and each volunteer received a lapel pin to reflect this award.

In May of 1980, the hospital's volunteer auxiliary was formed with 53 Flagler County residents. Today, Florida Hospital Flagler has more than 225 active volunteers assisting in 25 departments throughout the hospital. The volunteers have provided more than 26,000 free blood pressure checks at the hospital and cared for more than 6,000 guests in the Judith C. Macko Cancer Resource Library. Financially, this group of volunteers has donated more than 1.6 million hours in service to Florida Hospital Flagler.

Throughout Volusia and Flagler counties, Florida Hospital HospiceCare volunteers provide a variety of duties from performing administrative tasks, to providing respite, companionship and spiritual support. Florida Hospital HospiceCare volunteers also offer pet therapy for patients and assist in the in-patient units and Stuart F. Meyer Hospice House, creating a supportive and caring environment for patients and their families. Florida Hospital HospiceCare currently has 140 volunteers who have contributed a total of 201,237 hours.

Together, these 365 volunteers give their time and talents to support our community's health services and care for patients and their families during their time of need, said Tony Papandrea, chairman of the Florida Hospital Flagler Foundation. The Humanitarian of the Year award recognizes those in our community who are making a difference, and these two groups of volunteers make a true difference in the lives of our neighbors, family and friends.

Previous Florida Hospital Flagler Foundation Humanitarians of the Year include: Dennis and Laurie Alter (2016); Peter and Sue Freytag (2015); Tony and Dottie Papandrea (2014); Charles M. Helms (2013); Kathy McKenna (2012); Annie W. Woodard (2011); Elmer C. Stainbrook (2010); and Jerald K. Tranzow (2009).

About Florida Hospital Flagler

Florida Hospital Flagler is a member of Adventist Health System, a faith-based health care organization with 45 hospital campuses and 8,200 licensed beds in nine states, serving more than 5 million patients annually. With a mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ, Florida Hospital Flagler has 99-beds and is one of the seven Florida Hospitals in Flagler, Lake and Volusia counties that composes the Florida Hospital Central Florida Division - North Region. As the largest hospital system in the area, the Florida Hospital Central Florida Division - North Region has 1,226 beds and more than 7,800 employees. For more information about Florida Hospital Flagler, visit www.FloridaHospitalFlagler.com.