Memories of ‘silent saint’ inspire at UTSW volunteer luncheon
The popular word uttered at last week’s UT Southwestern Volunteer Appreciation luncheon: “saint.”
This is how several described Stella Bressler, the longtime UT Southwestern volunteer who passed away earlier this year at age 98, after 47 years of service to the institution. Her legacy permeated the atmosphere as much as the smell of Texas barbecue.
Volunteerism at University Hospitals began Feb. 13, 1943, with the creation of the St. Paul Auxiliary, which made pajamas, bed linens, bedpan covers, baby materials, blankets, masks, and surgical caps for UT Southwestern’s former St. Paul University Hospital. Ms. Bressler, who served many years with the Auxiliary, was known for her ability to find much-needed objects for those staying at the hospital.
“Many called her the ‘silent saint,’” said Katherine Spinks, Senior Administrative Assistant with Chaplain Services and one of the organizers of the annual luncheon. “If there was a need, she would magically make sure that need was met – whether it was for reading glasses, a patient’s favorite soda, anything.”
Ms. Bressler, who joined the auxiliary in 1969, logged more than 135,000 volunteer hours – more than any other volunteer. She and her late husband, C.E. “Breeze” Bressler, were the first couple to volunteer together at the hospital. In 2009, the Auxiliary dissolved due to an aging membership and fewer volunteers to fill leadership positions. However, many members have remained involved with Volunteer Services.
The April 11 luncheon took place at the Clements University Hospital conference space and opened with remarks from UT Southwestern’s Director of Chaplain Services, the Rev. John O’Neal.
“Today we gather to honor you, the very many volunteers who here at UTSW volunteer at our clinics and facilities – you make us complete,” the Rev. O’Neal said. “Last year, 353 dedicated community members donated 18,000-plus hours to hospitals and clinics in a total of 35 departments here at University Hospitals. The services that volunteers provide give a tremendous boost to our delivery of quality, caring services for patients and their families.”
Among those at the luncheon this year: Joe and Hidalia Myers, who were celebrating their own service milestones (500 and 1,000 hours served, respectively). Mrs. Myers served as an Administrative Assistant at St. Paul University Hospital and volunteered extra hours with her husband. Their primary directive: Label and arrange magazines in the waiting areas and deliver them to patients who requested them. They volunteered with Ms. Bressler for about 20 years.
“Stella was a lifelong friend,” Mrs. Myers said. “She kept our entire family in line – when our son was 6 or 7 years old, we’d bring him to work with us. Stella eventually gave him a job and taught him the value of money.”
“Everyone at the hospital knew her,” Mr. Myers said.
Luncheon attendees also took time to remember three other volunteers who passed away over the last year: Debra Rogers, a volunteer chaplain who logged more than 300 hours in fall 2012; Elizabeth “Libby” Duff, a volunteer in the surgery waiting room who logged more than 6,100 hours; and Winston Brown, a volunteer Church of Christ chaplain who logged more than 1,250 hours.
Mr. and Mrs. Myers also reflected on their own time volunteering with UT Southwestern. Because magazines are not as widespread as they were in the ’90s, the couple now takes the Holy Eucharist to Catholic patients in UTSW hospitals.
“We drive from Grand Prairie on Saturdays and we both enjoy it,” Mrs. Myers said.
“Doing the magazines was more impersonal, but now we visit with the patients a lot one-on-one, and we get to see the impact of just sitting and talking and visiting with them,” Mr. Myers said. “That’s why UT Southwestern is a great medical center, because they go that extra step for their patients.”
The event’s guest speaker was Dr. William C. Daniel, Vice President of Health System Affairs and Chief Medical and Quality Officer.
“You as volunteers have a direct impact on the experience of patients and their families,” Dr. Daniel said. “You’re helping us help people feel as well as they can, for as long as they can.”
“Providers often get very accustomed to seeing patients’ situations,” Dr. Daniel continued. “As a cardiologist, I see hearts with this condition or that condition – but you help the person attached to that heart. We are highly driven in a place like this and can lose sight of that. Volunteers keep us physicians grounded.”
Dr. Daniel also pointed out the benefits that volunteers offer to quality control – and therefore cost savings – in the hospital.
“Your unselfish kindness has saved us over $400,000 in the last year alone,” Dr. Daniel pointed out. “That’s why I want to encourage your colleagues and friends and loved ones to join you in volunteering.”
Growing the UTSW volunteer population is currently a priority in Volunteer Services – with hopes of increasing volunteer numbers to more than 500 this year and to more than 1,000 after that.
“Today, most of our volunteers are doing so because they want to shadow a physician or nurse, gain experience about how a hospital functions, eventually enroll in medical school here, or change careers and want to see if hospital work is a good fit for them,” said Scott Glover, an Administrative Assistant with UT Southwestern Volunteer Services. “We are actively recruiting through local high schools, Dallas County Community Colleges, and volunteermatch.org to find volunteers to fill positions in hopes of reaching our goals.”
Those who apply to volunteer are asked to commit to at least 100 hours, which can be completed over an extended period of time. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a UT Southwestern volunteer, email UTSouthwesternVolunteers@utsouthwestern.edu for an application packet (an online application is in the works).
#
Dr. Daniel holds the William T. Solomon Professorship in Clinical Quality Improvement at UT Southwestern Medical Center.