Sacred Heart Guild Donation Supports Hospital Initiatives

The Volunteer Guild at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast recently presented a $67,600 donation to the hospital in support of a variety of patient care initiatives. Each year, the Volunteer Guild invites hospital department managers to apply for one of the Volunteer Guild’s special capital sponsorships to enhance patient care, resulting in new equipment, software upgrades and customer service projects.
 

“The Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast Guild is honored to provide funding for critically needed equipment each year from the proceeds of the two gift shops at the hospital and the Guild’s annual Emerald Coast Duck Regatta,” said John Barnhart, Guild board president. “The capital projects selected represent a tangible effort to directly enhance patient care throughout the hospital.”
 

Funds donated this year provided for an upgrade to the bone densitometry machine for better visibility, a c-arm laser aimer in radiology for enhanced accuracy, glass doors in the pre-surgery holding area for patient privacy, a new traction system for outpatient rehabilitation, an additional ventilator in the emergency department, a special infant screening system for the Family Birth Place, and a ventilator equipped with temperature therapy for hyper/hypothermic patients in the intensive care unit. The Guild has funded a total of $192,000 in capital projects since 2006.
 

“Our volunteers have a tremendous impact on the care and hospitality provided every day at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast,” said Roger Hall, president. “They selflessly give of their time and talents and often serve as advocates for advancements in the patient care experience. We certainly would not be the same hospital without our dedicated volunteers!”
 

Sacred Heart Volunteer Guild
Around 250 community members and winter guests volunteer at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast every year, providing over 30,000 hours of service collectively and adding a personal touch to everyone who enters the hospital. The rewards of volunteering are as individual as each volunteer, and all volunteers enjoy meal vouchers, free flu vaccines and an open invitation to participate in Sacred Heart’s special events. The Volunteer Guild raises scholarship and capital request funds through annual membership dues and proceeds from the Gift Shop at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast in addition to The Boutique in the hospital’s Family Birth Place. The Guild’s largest fundraising event is the annual Emerald Coast Duck Regatta at Baytowne Wharf each October, which features family friendly games and the opportunity to adopt a duck before thousands of rubber ducks set sail across the pond for a chance to win $5,000. For more information about this exciting event, please visit emeraldcoastduckregatta.com.
 

For more information about the Volunteer Guild, please contact Sharon Abele, volunteer services manager at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast, at 850-278-3081 or via email at sabele@shhpens.org. For more information about Sacred Heart, please visit sacredheartemerald.org.