Fall River resident announced as Southcoast Health Volunteer of the Year

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast Health announced its 2018 Volunteers of the Year. The three individuals and one group honored with this recognition are Wareham’s Jean Alves, Dartmouth’s Tracey Burke, Fall River’s Roger Hebert, and The Concordia Choir.

“From greeting visitors at our main entrances to working in administrative offices to singing for patients in their homes, our volunteer of the year award winners reflect the breadth and spirit of all 500 of Southcoast Health’s wonderful and essential volunteers,” said Jack Dresser, Senior Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer of Southcoast Health.

Jean Alves, of Wareham, is the 2018 volunteer of the year at Tobey Hospital. Jean has been volunteering since 2011 and has donated over 1,900 hours of her time at the hospital. Jean can be found at the Patient Information Desk, ready to greet people with a warm smile usually followed by a witty comment. Jean has been retired for several years now and is committed to giving back to the community in which she was born and raised. Her peers along with visitors and patients gravitate towards her gentle and caring ways which makes for a happy workplace.

Tracey Burke, of Dartmouth, is the 2018 volunteer of the year at St. Luke’s Hospital. She assists in the Philanthropy Department and in the Employee Health Department as well with any office duties assigned. Her positive attitude and genuine willingness to help out has been an inspiration to the departments.

Roger Hebert, of Fall River, is the 2018 volunteer of the Year at Charlton Memorial Hospital. Roger has volunteered for several years as a Greeter welcoming everyone on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the Main Lobby. Mr. Hebert greets everyone with a warm smile and a giant ‘HELLO!’ He interacts and assist patients with great compassion and empathy. He makes sure the needs of every patient and visitor are met by giving direction, escorting and assisting with wheelchairs.

The Concordia Choir is the 2018 volunteer group of the year for Southcoast VNA. Those who sing with the choir do so to offer comfort to people who are ill, or nearing the end of their life so that they and their loved ones feel at peace. The choir has visited 2 families, every other week since 2012 as part of Southcoast VNA’s supportive care team. They are simply a gift to patients who invite them to sing in their homes. They believe that music can heal, open hearts, quiet fears, and touch all who are present.