Berger Health System - Caring for you, Caring for our Community

Our Medical Staff

Patient and Visitor Information

Press Releases

Berger Volunteer Director Wins Award

Circleville, OH -- November 16, 2007

Berger Director of Volunteer Services Wins Creative Achievement Award

Deborah Holt, Berger’s Director of Volunteer Services, is pictured with her patient pal volunteers (l to r) Shirley Price, Jean Thomas and Marilyn Bowers. Not pictured is Penny Dietrich.

Circleville, OH – November 16, 2007– Deborah Holt, Director of Volunteer Services at Berger Hospital, recently received the Award for Creative Achievement from the Ohio Hospital Association. One award is given annually to an Ohio hospital volunteer director for their outstanding efforts in developing a new program utilizing volunteers at a hospital.
Holt was recognized for her development of the Patient Pal Program at Berger Hospital. The goal of the program, which was started in 2005, is to provide additional comfort and support to patients at Berger. The focus is on patients who don’t have many visitors and might need a little extra support. Patient Pal volunteers do a variety of tasks, including reading the newspaper to the patient, playing cards, opening greeting cards, watering flowers, or just friendly visiting.
Holt had the idea to develop the Patient Pal Program after having spent many months at hospitals and nursing facilities during her father’s illness. “I had a lot of down time at the hospital while my father was sleeping,” said Holt. “During that time, I would visit with other patients. I quickly realized how meaningful and appreciated my little visits were.”
The Patient Pal volunteers have special teddy bears that they give to the patients. “The bears are just another small way we can show the patients that we are thinking about them,” Holt added.
Holt received her award at the Ohio Society for Directors of Volunteer Services’ fall conference held at Cherry Valley Lodge in October. This is the first time a Berger employee has received this award. Holt has been the Director of Volunteers at Berger for eight years. She has been instrumental in growing Berger’s volunteer program where she currently oversees over 120 hospital volunteers.