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New York Methodist Hospital (NYM) administrators, staff members and friends recently gathered with hundreds of NYM volunteers for the Hospital's Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner. The dinner, held in NYM's Carrington Pavilion, celebrated the efforts of the men and women who volunteered their time at the Hospital during the past year, and the "Superhero"-themed event reflected the selfless efforts that regularly characterize NYM volunteers' service.

At its Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner, New York Methodist Hospital celebrated the more than 1,000 volunteers who collectively gave over 100,000 hours of service to NYM last year. Above: volunteers with the Hospital's Project Contact, a program designed to relieve stress experienced by patients and their family members during emergency room visits.

"My title is the 'director,' but really, I am just the 'conductor' of an orchestra of heroic volunteers," remarked Wendy Froede, director of volunteer, educational and interpreter resources, at the Dinner. "It is amazing to see the symphony you collectively perform for the Hospital and its patients."

"This is one of my favorite events," said Mark J. Mundy, president and CEO of NYM, to those in attendance. "It's a wonderful opportunity to recognize how much good you do for the Hospital."

Veteran NYM volunteer Margaret Birge, who celebrated her 101st birthday this past year.

All told, over 1,000 volunteers gave more than 100,000 hours of service to NYM last year, with over half of that time spent in direct contact with patients. The quality of those hours was equally impressive, as demonstrated by the praise that has poured in from staff members and patients. Ms. Froede relayed some heroic examples from the past year in her speech, including a physical therapy volunteer who professionally repairs helicopters in the United States Army taking a leave for several months to serve in Qatar, only to pick up right where he left off upon his return to New York, and patient care volunteers braving Winter Storm Jonas to get to the Hospital, even as public transportation was shutting down.

Wendy Froede, the volunteer program's director, addresses the Dinner's attendees.

"When I began as director of this department last summer, I felt I was entrusted with a gift," said Ms. Froede. "The programs here are like nothing you find anywhere else; they have won awards and grants, and have been the models for similar programs at other institutions. These creative, innovative volunteer programs were attempted in the first place, and then sustained over time, because of the tremendous support that the Hospital's leadership has provided over the years. And we are all lucky that such 'superheroic' volunteers have answered the call."

Additional information about volunteer opportunities at NYM can be found at nym.org/volunteer.