Southeastern Medical Center Honors Volunteers During National Healthcare Volunteer Week

Volunteers SMC

OhioHealth Southeastern Medical Center celebrated the contributions of its volunteers during National Healthcare Volunteer Week with a recognition dinner held Wednesday, April 8, at Theo’s Restaurant in Cambridge.

This year’s theme, Bright Lights – Big Hearts, honored the 55 volunteers who served in 2024, giving a combined 8,595 hours of their time. Volunteers ranged in age from 18 to 93 and supported the hospital across a variety of roles, from welcoming visitors to assisting in patient care areas.

“Volunteers are the quiet heroes among us,” said Wendy Elliott, president of Southeastern Medical Center. “You don’t serve for applause—but your impact is felt in every life you touch. Your hearts are big, your spirits are generous, and your light is unstoppable.”

Volunteer program manager Hannah Bingham noted that many volunteers are drawn to serve as a way of giving back. “Whether you’ve been with us for years or are just getting started, your kindness and commitment make Southeastern Medical Center more than just a hospital—you make it a place of comfort and healing.”

Fran Peters, 81, of New Concord, has been volunteering in the hospital’s surgery pre-op area since 2005. A retired insurance agent and former office worker, Peters said she started volunteering after retirement. “It was something that interested me,” she said. “It was a way I could give back. If I can help, that’s what I want to do.”

Volunteers were recognized for their hours of service, including Bill Shuman, Peggy Creek, and Devin Stevens, who have each given more than 3,000 hours. Gerard Gallagher and Flossie Daniel were honored for reaching over 11,000 hours of service each and Jean Morgan received recognition for her contribution of over 23,000 volunteer hours.

Bingham also thanked Southeastern Medical Center associates who support and mentor volunteers, as well as students from the Mid-East Career and Technology Center, who created the event’s theme, lobby display and dinner invitations.

To learn more about volunteering at OhioHealth, click here.