Honors volunteers at a health care provider or other health-related organization who are considered exemplary by people within those organizations.
MARY JO CONLOGUE
TITLE: Volunteer
ORGANIZATION: Lower Cape Fear LifeCare
WHAT A NOMINATOR SAID: “Mary Jo has been a dedicated volunteer at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare (formerly Lower Cape Fear Hospice) for more than 17 years, mostly serving as a front desk greeter at our hospice care center in Wilmington. As a fixture there on Tuesday mornings, she has contributed more than 1,200 hours of volunteer time, not to mention over 5,000 miles traveled. Many of us cannot remember a time that Mary Jo’s smiling face wasn’t in our front lobby.
As the first person most visitors encounter at our Care Center, Mary Jo provides a warm and pleasant welcome as they come through the front door. She seeks to find ways to connect, to meet their needs and to provide support as many are dealing with feelings of stress, sadness or even fear when they come to visit loved ones at the end of life.
She is more than willing to engage in conversation but also acknowledges that they might not want to talk at all. Mary Jo makes it a point to be sure visitors are comfortable and informed, even taking the time to walk them directly to the room they are visiting. ... She constantly and consistently goes beyond expectations and the ‘normal’ call of duty for a hospice volunteer.”
– Jason Clamme, director of community engagement, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare
TONY DUNN
TITLE: Volunteer
ORGANIZATION: Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center
WHAT A NOMINATOR SAID: “Tony Dunn has been a fixture at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center for the last 17 years. He arrives for his volunteer shift at the surgical pavilion around 4 a.m. to make sure everything is ready for a new day and to greet everyone with his warm smile. Tony’s kind spirit has a way of soothing even the most nervous patient and family.
After 15 years in law enforcement in the Winston-Salem area, Tony retired to Wilmington and found his true calling to serve others as a volunteer at Novant Health NHRMC. He has given his time to help patients, visitors and staff in a variety of volunteer roles over the years. He has driven shuttle carts in the parking lots, assisted in the vaccine clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic, and is now the first face many patients see when they arrive to the surgical pavilion on Tony’s volunteer days. Tony is also active on the Volunteer Council in a leadership and advisory role for volunteers.
Tony has served nearly 10,000 hours at NHRMC and was recently recognized with a President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his many hours of dedicated volunteer service to his community.”
– Erin Barajas, director of patient services, Novant Health NHRMC
HARRY THRANHARDT
TITLE: Volunteer Veteran Advocate
ORGANIZATION: Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center
WHAT A NOMINATOR SAID: “Harry Thranhardt is an outstanding example and asset to Novant Health and its thriving volunteer program. His commitment to supporting veterans and helping them navigate their experience is truly a value-add for the organization and the community.
Harry contributes in a big way by rounding on over 375 veterans annually at Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center. That’s 375 patients that have dedicated themselves to the service of the United States, and Harry illuminates their valor by providing the time, attention, care and compassion to this special population of patients.
As a representative of the hospital leadership team, he thanks veterans for their service and helps them with questions they may have regarding their medical or disability benefits. This key touchpoint is one of the things Harry is most proud of in this role. He also assists with referrals to the local Brunswick County Veterans Service Office.”
– Vera Newkirk, compliance/privacy officer, Novant Health
