HONOLULU — The Queen’s Medical Center recently honored its volunteers at an appreciation luncheon hosted by Jenai Wall, representing the Queen’s Board of Trustees, and Jason Chang, executive vice president and chief operating officer of The Queen’s Medical Center.
The yearly statistics show just how much the volunteers positively affect the lives of Queen’s patients. Queen’s volunteers donated 60,736 hours in service to patients and the community in 2017. Volunteers worked on 1,066 projects for 69 different departments. They delivered 1,176 floral arrangements. The craft group made 1,136 baby caps, 726 oncology caps and 1,010 cardiac pillows.
Jane Koshiba received the Ho‘omau Award, which recognizes longevity of service. She received a trophy and monetary award, and her name was added to a perpetual plaque. She has been a Queen’s volunteer for more than 25 years, joining in 1992. “I always knew I wanted to volunteer, and I planned to after my younger son graduated from high school,” Koshiba said, “but I wasn’t sure where to do it.” Then came breast cancer. Fortunately, an annual mammogram detected it in the early stages, and she received treatment at Queen’s. “The staff at radiation therapy, and everywhere, were so wonderful,” she said. This inspired her to volunteer earlier than planned and she joined the Queen’s volunteer ohana.
The 77-year-old retired teacher currently assists patients, visitors and staff at the Surgery Waiting Room and Information Desk. She enjoys meeting people and helping them find their way or answering their questions. The very active Koshiba also enjoys traveling to Europe and Asia, working out at the YMCA, going to her Jazzercise classes and babysitting her two granddaughters. She lives in East Honolulu.
At the luncheon, Chang noted that in looking around the room, it showed there is no age limit to volunteering. “I see high school students through to retirees, and we’re all here for the same reason,” he said. “You are the face of our organization in many ways; you set the lasting image that Queen’s cares. We couldn’t do what we do without you.”
Volunteers have been an integral part of The Queen’s Medical Center for more than 158 years. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please visit www.queensmedicalcenter.org/be-a-volunteer-home, or call Queen’s Volunteer Services at Punchbowl at 808-691-4397 or at West Oahu at 808-691-3197.
