Among the experiences that made this year’s Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon special: the sounds. There was the usual familial chatter among more than 100 guests, many of whom greeted each other as old friends. There was the festive twang of country music, provided by Sam Baker with Musicians on Call (a nonprofit that brings live, in-room performances to patients every Tuesday night).

Sam Baker with Musicians on Call entertained the guests with music.

Perhaps more unexpected was the occasional sociable yip from visiting dogs from Heart of Texas Therapy Dogs, who were among the guests recognized that day. Among the pup patrol was Rusty and his owner, Roz Henwood, who visit University Hospitals once a month.

If a patient wants to see a dog, we bring them in and let the patients love on them and maybe brighten their day a little bit, said Ms. Henwood, who is retired from UT Southwestern’s Department of Ophthalmology. I want to continue to support patients in any way I can. We are part of a family and anything we can do to make UT Southwestern special, we want to do.

Roz Henwood of Heart of Texas Therapy Dogs with her Catahoula Lab mix, Rusty.

This year, UT Southwestern has nearly 600 volunteers on the roster – almost double the number from a year ago. The goal: Get that roster up to 1,000.

The Rev. John O’Neal, UT Southwestern’s Director of Chaplain Services, opened the event at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital by thanking volunteers.

We are so happy to have you with us and to give a little bit of gratitude, a little bit of food, a little bit of fun, and a little bit of fellowship, the Rev. O’Neal said. Last year, 362 dedicated community members donated a record-breaking 25,500-plus hours in our hospitals and clinics. We give thanks for all that has been brought through our volunteers’ daily work.

The event’s guest speaker was Dr. Will Daniel, Vice President and Chief Quality Officer and Professor of Internal Medicine.

Guest speaker Dr. Will Daniel talked about the influence of teamwork in health care.

It’s extremely humbling to be among you, because volunteers have made me a better person, a better doctor, and better at being part of a team that helps people feel as well as they can for as long as they can, Dr. Daniel said. There’s a lot of science showing that teamwork saves lives. And you affect and touch our patients’ lives in extremely important ways.

The annual luncheon, hosted by UT Southwestern Volunteer Services, honored volunteers who reached milestones in hours served and in years of service, as well as the group’s first Volunteer of the Year award winner, Berta Montes.

Volunteer of the Year award winner Berta Montes (center) with the Rev. John O’Neal, Director of Chaplain Services, and Scott Glover, Administrative Assistant for Volunteer Services.

Since 2016, Ms. Montes has volunteered at UT Southwestern by bringing Holy Eucharist to Catholic patients at Zale Lipshy and William P. Clements University Hospitals (even on Christmas Day) and dispensing ashes on Ash Wednesday. She has also done some volunteer work in Central America, working with indigenous women who had mastectomies as they received medical care.

Every week there’s something here that touches me, and I’m so grateful for this opportunity, Ms. Montes said. I had surgery at Zale Lipshy in 2007, and so after retiring I wanted to do something at the hospital. It’s a calling for me. It’s so nice that the staff and doctors are always so kind and respectful of the work we do.

Volunteers recognized for milestone hours of service included Tony Towler with 1,000 hours and Furyal “Fifi” Arshad, Merlinda Chelette, Ben King, Santiago Molina, Sophia Moschos, and Maria Rosales with 500 hours each. Recognized for 25 years of service was Lena McBride; for 20 years, Joseph and Hidalia Myers; for 10 years, John Blanks; and for five years, Jeanna Doyle, Paulus Gan, Bob Randolph, Raquel Rodriguez, and Maria Rosales. Posthumous recognition was given to Terry Embree, who volunteered 9,898 hours over 33 years; Gerry McKenzie, who volunteered 2,700 hours over 30 years; Paul Rodgers, who volunteered 517 hours over one year; and Gretchen Shaw, who volunteered 16,162 hours over 23 years.