Annual Volunteer Recognition
The Annual Volunteer Recognition event is held in April during National Volunteer Week. This week honors and celebrates volunteers across the nation. We hope to inspire, recognize and encourage all citizens to seek out imaginative ways to support our community. By working together, we can meet our challenges and accomplish our goals.
Several awards are given out during this event including the President’s Volunteer Service Award, a national award given by The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation. This award recognizes volunteers that have achieved a certain standard of service.
Click here to read more about the President's Volunteer Service Award.
In honor of National Volunteer Week, Palm Healthcare Foundation held their annual Commitment to Community Awards Luncheon on April 12, 2011 at the Atlantis Country Club. The Foundation presented the Commitment to Community Award to four recipients and the President's Volunteer Service Award to two recipients.
2011 Commitment to Community Award Winners
Dr. Nettie Birnbach with Amy Dean Glenn Pfaff and Usar Suragarn
Luz Smith with Jezabel Maisonet
President's Volunteer Service Award Winners
Marilyn Winer and Martha Andres
Dr. Nettie Birnbach, who holds a doctorate in nursing education, has had a distinguished career as a nurse researcher and educator. She also has a distinguished career as a community volunteer. She is a member of Palm Healthcare Foundation's Nursing Scholarship Committee, a judge for the Nursing Distinction Awards, a participant in the Healthcare Workforce Partnership Committee and the Strategic Priorities Panel for Nursing Advancement, and serves on the Nursing Education Fund. For substantial volunteer involvement, Dr. Birnbach is a 2011 Commitment to Community Award Winner.
Glenn Pfaff and Usar Suragarn, a unique husband/wife team, who together give countless hours volunteering throughout Palm Beach County and beyond. As registered nurses they volunteer their skills to help train other professionals as well as family caregivers and mothers of premature infants. They serve on the Nursing Distinction awards committee and Nursing Education Fund. They were instrumental in developing an alumni organization for the Novice Nurse Leadership Institute of which they are graduates. As ambassadors of Palm Healthcare Foundation, Mr. Pfaff and Ms. Suragarn are 2011 Commitment to Community Award recipients.
Luz Smith, a certified medical interpreter among several roles, is recognized for her commitment to the Caring Connections Respite Volunteers program. She is instrumental in providing family caregiver classes that serve a growing population of underserved Hispanic seniors. Her professional and kind manner ensures that all her students understand the course content and written materials. For her volunteer work in empowering the Hispanic community, Ms. Smith has been awarded the 2011 Commitment to Community Award.
Marilyn Winer, a committed community volunteer, supports the work of Palm Healthcare Foundation on a weekly basis, using her extensive administrative skills . Her dedication to the community does not stop here as she is involved in a variety of groups both here in Palm Beach County and in the Northeast where she volunteers for many other non-profit groups. As a recipient of the Bronze President's Volunteer Award, Ms. Winer achieved over 100 hours of volunteer time over the past 12 months.
Martha Andres, an engaged and loyal volunteer, supports the Foundation wearing many hats. She is involved in an administrative capacity in the main office and serves on a judging committee for the Nurse of the Year event. Beyond the Foundation, Martha volunteers throughout the year at several other organizations near and dear to her heart. As a Bronze President's Volunteer Service Award winner, Ms. Andres accumulated over 100 hours of service in a 12 month time frame.
Click here to view more photos of this event.