Volunteers and staff joined together to celebrate National Volunteer Week at a luncheon held at the Faculty Center on April 16th. Hosted annually by the Volunteer Office, the event honors those individuals who have generously contributed their time and energy to UCLA Healthcare. Over 150 people attended.

Back row, left to right: Anita Haddad, Bobbie North; front row, left to right: AnHong Tran, Elsie Bobbins, Shirley Davis, Wei-Keng Chen, Bentleigh Borgeson, Cindy Zapel

Left to right: Lorraine Grant, awarded for 40 years of volunteer service and Carey McCarthy, Special Services Coordinator		Left to right: Harriett Potik, awarded for 30 years of volunteer service and Kathy Sipes, Director of Volunteer Services.

Gerald Levey, MD, Vice Chancellor of Medical Sciences and Dean of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, set the tone for this year’s theme — Volunteers . . . Priceless Treasures — by thanking the volunteers and acknowledging how their selfless contributions are vital to the success of the hospital. Kathy Sipes, director of volunteers, commented on the enormous contributions volunteers make to the medical center each year, “We are privileged and honored to have such a wonderful group of people who make such a difference to UCLA Medical Center. Volunteers work in more than 250 departments performing a myriad of duties, all enhancing the patient experience at UCLA. We are happy to be part of this mission.”

The Presidential Service Award was given to 15 outstanding volunteers. Special honors went to volunteers Vincent Bruno for 21 years of exemplary service, and Lorraine Grant and Harriett Potik for 30 years of commitment to the hospital.