Apr 20, 2018 Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset Honors Hillsborough Woman As Volunteer Of The Year

RWJ Somerset Volunteer of the Year

(left to right): Mary Santulli, coordinator, Volunteer Services Department, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset; Barbara O’Neal, of Hillsborough, Alex Nilo Volunteer Excellence Award recipient; Tony Cava, president, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset: and Tammy Pfeifle, director, Volunteer Services Department, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset.

SOMERVILLE, NJ, April 20, 2018 – Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset recently honored Barbara O’Neal of Hillsborough with its Alex Nilo Award for Volunteer Excellence.

Named after a long-time volunteer from Bridgewater, the Alex Nilo Award is presented annually to a volunteer who best exemplifies excellence in volunteerism and dedication to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset through actions, commitment and loyalty.

O’Neal has volunteered at the hospital for 18 years, providing more than 3,800 hours of service in the hospital’s Community Health Department and Joint Surgery Program. O’Neal volunteers as a Fit Body Fit Bones peer leader, demonstrating exercises for class participants and assists at many of the hospital’s community outreach and fundraising events.

“She is always willing to do whatever needs to be done and is willing to stay as long as it takes to get the job done. Barbara exemplifies excellence in volunteerism,” wrote Serena Collado, director of the hospital’s Community Health Department, in nominating O’Neal for the award.

During a special Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset also recognized volunteers who achieved milestones of hours of service, including:

  • Dorothy Crosby of Somerville, a volunteer in the hospital’s Blood Donor Program, who has 9,800 hours of service over 39 years.
  • Nancy Brett of South Bound Brook, a volunteer in the hospital’s Blood Donor Program, who has 8,000 hours of service over 16 years.
  • Katherine Peckham of Bridgewater, a volunteer in the hospital’s Courtesy Department, who has 7,000 hours of service over 55 years.
  • Kathleen Schurzky of Bridgewater, a volunteer in the hospital’s Emergency Department, who has 7,000 hours of service over 13 years.
  • Ann Fives of South Bound Brook, a volunteer receptionist in the hospital’s main lobby and Steeplechase Cancer Center, who has 5,500 hours of service over 17 years.
  • Peggy Forrester of Martinsville, a volunteer at the hospital’s Reception Desk who has 5,500 hours of service over 15 years.
  • Douglas Grossman, of Belle Mead, a volunteer in the hospital’s Courtesy Department, who has 5,500 hours of service over 11 years.
  • Michael Zurat of Bridgewater, a volunteer in the hospital’s Pastoral Care Department, who has 5,500 hours of service over 16 years.
  • Bill Zepp of Bound Brook, a volunteer greeter in the lobby of the hospital and the Steeplechase Cancer Center, who has 5,000 hours of service over 15 years.
  • Mary Diehl of Hillsborough, a volunteer in the hospital’s Pastoral Care Department and a volunteer receptionist at the Steeplechase Cancer Center, who has 4,500 hours of service over 13 years.
  • Joy Tsuzuski of Skillman, a volunteer in the hospital’s Same Day Department, who has 4,500 hours of service over 30 years.
  • Mabel Van Zandt of Bridgewater, a volunteer at the hospital’s Reception Desk, who has 4,000 hours of service over 16 years.

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset relies on its volunteers to provide an extra dimension of care to its patients and their families. In 2017, the hospital’s 778 volunteers provided a total of 59,823 hours of service.