Volunteers are the Roots of Vibrant Hospitals

Volunteers are the roots of strong communities. They are also the roots of vibrant hospitals. National Volunteer Week is April 10-16, an annual celebration to acknowledge the generous contribution of our volunteers. As Volunteer Canada puts it with this year’s theme: “Just like roots are essential for trees to bloom, volunteers are essential for communities to bloom. Thanks to volunteers, our communities grow strong and resilient. Even the tiniest volunteer effort leaves a profound and lasting trace in a community, much like tree rings that appear over time.”

At Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare, we couldn’t agree more. Across the two hospitals, we are blessed to have more than 300 volunteers, easily recognizable by their green smocks and big smiles, supporting our community hospitals in Bracebridge and Huntsville through the Auxiliary to South Muskoka Memorial Hospital and the Huntsville Hospital Auxiliary.

Our volunteers are hardworking and caring individuals who are dedicated to supporting local hospital care. They assist patients, staff and visitors in nearly every area of our hospitals, promote awareness in the community, offer educational scholarship programs to both local students and hospital staff, and raise money to help purchase much-needed equipment. Their work is essential to our operation, and because of their support, we are closer to achieving our vision to provide outstanding care that is patient and family centered.

National Volunteer Week is a platform for us all to say thanks to the many volunteers who help make our hospitals stronger, and to let them know their efforts and commitment are appreciated, not only during volunteer week, but every day of the year.

To all of our volunteers, I cannot overstate your role and your contribution to safe, high-quality care. Each and every one of you makes a difference – not only to our patients needing care of one type or another, but to our Board of Directors, leadership team, staff and physicians. On behalf of all the people that come through our doors, I sincerely thank you and I hope that you feel a deep sense of satisfaction in knowing that you make enormous contributions to improving patient care at MAHC.

Natalie Bubela
Chief Executive Officer