The Christ Hospital Network received the Hospital of the Year Award for the Central Region from the national Mended Hearts organization, recognizing its volunteers’ efforts in supporting patients with heart conditions. Two of the hospital’s volunteers received special praise as well.
Mended Hearts, a U.S.-based charity, functions as a support group for individuals with cardiovascular disease. Every year, it recognizes five hospitals and their volunteers for their exceptional work in providing support and education to its members and the local community.
The Christ Hospital’s Mended Hearts chapter started in 1976 to connect former heart patients with current patients receiving care.
“This is a tremendous accomplishment for our entire Mended Hearts volunteer team,” said Madison Kramer, supervisor of volunteer services at The Christ Hospital Health Network.
The Christ Hospital’s region includes hospitals in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, and parts of Pennsylvania.
“Our cardiovascular patients benefit greatly from talking to someone who has gone through similar care and shared experiences,” Kramer continued. “Our volunteers provide not just clinical care but also a level of comfort.”
Special praise for two standout volunteers
Mended Hearts also recognized two local volunteers, Lorraine Becker and Rick Gardner, with the Mended Hearts Accredited Visitor Excellence Award. This award acknowledges their dedication to serving those they visit, growing the program and expanding Mended Hearts support through accredited visits. Both earned praise for demonstrating “an understanding of the importance of the Accredited Visiting Program in supporting patients, caregivers, and family members.”
“Lorraine is very thoughtful and makes a great effort to get to know the patients when she visits them at the hospital,” Kramer said.
She noted that Gardner “leads with compassion and empathy, meeting the patient where they are in their individual journey.” He listens to each patient and gives them “the encouragement as someone who has been there.”
“We are truly thankful to have these two as great ambassadors of The Christ Hospital Health Network and the Mended Hearts Program,” Kramer said.
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