Two dedicated volunteers brighten patients' stays at CMC.
Volunteers at Community Medical Center (CMC) are critical to ensuring the best patient care. There are more than 400 of them, and they “make every day special,” says Cherrell Smalls, Supervisor, Volunteer Resource Center and Pastoral Care. Here’s how two volunteers leave a lasting impression on CMC patients:
Judy Packen: Cuddler extraordinaire
Judy Packen of Toms River started volunteering as a candy striper at CMC in 1969. In 1978, she was hired as a nurse and spent the next 40 years working in the Emergency Department, Medical/Surgical Floors and high-tech Intravenous Therapy. After retiring in July 2018, Judy took a few months off but found she missed the hospital. In January 2019, she returned to CMC as a volunteer. Today, Judy can be found in the nursery cuddling babies who need to be comforted. In some cases, this allows the infant’s mom to take a nap. In others, the babies are experiencing substance-use withdrawal. These babies remain in the hospital for continued monitoring, and cuddling helps to minimize withdrawal symptoms and lessen irritability.
The nurses assigned Judy to certain babies, and she holds them for about an hour each. “The human touch calms them down,” says Judy. “It’s extremely rewarding.” Judy has three children and eight grandchildren, so she knows babies well. “The moms and nurses are so appreciative,” she says. Judy, who also makes up cribs and stocks supplies in the nursery, volunteers once a week from 8:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. “Volunteering makes me feel needed, and I know I’m doing a good thing for the babies, nurses and moms,” she says. “I’m so glad I ended up in the nursery.”
Michael Overton: "Have a spectacular day!"
Michael Overton, a Toms River resident, has been volunteering at CMC for eight years. Every Monday through Thursday (and some Fridays), he comes to CMC to pick up mail and assist with discharges. He has an uncanny ability to remember every employee’s name and always greets them. His signature expression when he says goodbye to employees and patients alike? “Have a spectacular day!” When Michael is in the patient waiting areas, he wishes surgical and physical therapy patients a good hospital stay. “He’s so positive, and he takes the time to talk to everyone,” says Smalls. “Patients love it because they’re not expecting it.”
Although Michael is a volunteer, he’s like a CMC employee because he works from about 7:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. “When he arrives in the morning, he makes coffee for everyone, and when he goes on vacation, everyone misses him," says Smalls. The hospital staff celebrates Michael's unique contribution to CMC at the quarterly “I Make a Difference" luncheon with the Chief Executive Officer. Michael has been recognized every single quarter. “When his name is announced, everyone screams and claps,” says Smalls. Michael is so memorable that former CMC patients recognize him. He was recently volunteering in Radiation Oncology when a patient came up to him. “She gave me a thank-you card for making her feel good," he says. “The patient's family member said, Thank you for touching our lives.’”
To learn how you can become a volunteer at Community Medical Center, call: 732.775.8129.