Gulf Breeze Hospital says 'thanks' to dedicated volunteers
BY JOE CULPEPPER Gulf Breeze News Joe@gulfbreezenews.com

ABOVE: Shari Fulford (right) won a $300 money cake during a raffle. She was recognized by Auxiliary President Averette Mull and hospital administrator Bob Harriman.

Bob Harriman invoked the words of legendary 20th Century novelist Oscar Wilde as he recognized the service of Gulf Breeze Hospital's auxiliary.

"The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intentions," Harriman, quoted Wilde as he addressed volunteers during last Wednesday's Auxiliary and Volunteer Chaplains Appreciation Luncheon at First Baptist Church.

"Showing up each day with a smile on your face, making eye contact, walking people where they are going, being helpful to staff, physicians and patients, and doing it voluntarily, we totally respect that."

Harriman spoke to about 150 hospital volunteers and a dozen volunteer chaplains who have provided Gulf Breeze Hospital with nearly 15,000 hours of service during the past six months.

The hospital recognizes its volunteers twice a year, during the Christmas season and during Volunteer Appreciation Week. During the luncheon, hospital staff that benefits from volunteers in turn served the auxiliary's meal and beverages.

RIGHT: Sally Stanford (left) and Wendy Brandon perform a skit titled 'Ms. Right & Wrong' that demonstrated proper protocol for volunteers.

"Our volunteers really couldn't perform a more noble task," said Harriman, Senior Vice President of Baptist Health Care and administrator at Gulf Breeze Hospital and Andrews Institute. "They give from their heart every day. They give much more than just time, and they literally put their heart into each and everything we do.

"We couldn't operate the hospital as effectively without them. We couldn't be No. 1 in patient satisfaction, employee satisfaction and physician satisfaction without taking into account the difference they make every day."

Julie Johnson, Administrative Associate at Gulf Breeze Hospital, said most departments are touched by volunteers.

"We have volunteers in practically every department," she said. "Baptist has a large volunteer pool, but these people are from Gulf Breeze. They give their time and talent, their life experience, just for the gratification of being part of what we do."

One volunteer on hand has experienced the benefits of volunteerism on both sides of the fence. Dick Fulford was a founding father of Gulf Breeze Hospital, which opened June 24, 1985. He retired as administration in 2005 after 20 years of service. Nowadays, Fulford donates his time one day a week to offer free transportation to and from the hospital for needy patients.

Since Jan. 1, volunteers have provided 283 trips covering 7,397 miles delivering people to and from health-care appointments at Gulf Breeze Hospital.

"There are a tremendous amount of people who do not have transportation," said Fulford, also a member of the Gulf Breeze City Council. "It takes getting into the program to realize that."

Volunteer chaplains

Rev. Nan Morgan Adams, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Pensacola

Dr. Jerry Blacklaw, Gulf Breeze Presbyterian, Gulf Breeze

Rev. Robert W. Dekker, Concord Presbyterian Church, Gulf Breeze

Rev. Ruth Knights, Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church, Gulf Breeze

Dr. Albert G. Harris, retired Presbyterian minister, Gulf Breeze

Msgr. Luke Hunt, St. Ann Catholic, Gulf Breeze

Rev. Gary Jones, First Assembly of God, Gulf Breeze

Rev. L. Diane Lawson, Gulf Breeze

Rev. Gerald Munday, Gulf Breeze

Rev. Robert Pooley, Coast Community Church, Gulf Breeze

Pastor Charles Randle, Pensacola Beach Community Church, Pensacola Beach

Pastor John Spencer, Calvary Chapel, Gulf Breeze

Rev. Jeff Spooneybarger, First Baptist Church, Gulf Breeze

Jim Palmer, M. Div., director, Pastoral Services, Baptist Hospital, Pensacola

Service Award winners

23-year pins Bobbi Gaither, Suzie Gilchrist, Jeanne Vick

22-year pins Maureen Crooker, Ann Jenkins

21-year pin Vera Kelly

20-year pins Rose Marie Paganelli

19-year pin Myrtle Trussell

17-year pins

Marilyn Freeman, Charly Hubbard, Janet Slaughter

15-year pins Dorothy Grimes, Corky Lunch, June Weiss

14-year pins Clyde Broome, Clara Gray

13-year pins

Dot Guerrera, David Haddock, Joyce Shipman

12-year pin Bette Sprague

10-year pin Wendy Brandon

9-year pins Bambi DeJesus, Kay Sheehan

8-year pins Louisa Brown, Dot Panhorst

7-year pins

Cotton Connell, Donna Giddis, Marion Ginn, Patricia Lasley, Sally Stanford, Betty Willis

6-year pins Lucille Adams, Jim Arnold, Judy Barousse, Mildred Byers, Owen Johnson, Bill Trautvetter, Susan Willoughby

5-year pins

Barbara Alphin, Shirley Curran, Barbara Elbert, Gerrie Harris, Barbara Hickman, Leona Hutchison, Margaret Roltsch, Pat Walsh, Glenda Willett

4-year pins

Robert Brown, Barbara Cornell, Nancy Drane, Marilyn Lazear, Lolly Sandfort, Pat Tunison

3-year pinss

Judith Begue, Lena Bessinger, Mary Brown, Pete DellaRatta, Charles Jones, June Jones, Mary Jo Mann, Lauretta Mitchell, Dorothy Moore, Sharon Wyrnn

2-year pins

June Abner, Ron Berger, Mary Byrnes, Sally Dechant, Ronald Gutkowski, Bettie Kahn, Ed Sarrat, Carleen Wheeler

1-year pins

Virginia Aylward, George Bokas, James Boykin, Mary Eder, Lena Harrison, John Longdin, Marilyn Maxwell, Dorthy Reynolds, Linda Sharpe, Marty Stranger, Elouise Thomas

50-hour recognition

Gene Baldwin, Cheryl Blas, Myra Estabrook, Robert Lambert, Opal Metz, Marie Sarrat, Ray Schramm, Helene Star, Norma Ware, Linda Williams