Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital names Mary Bullion its 2017 Volunteer of the Year
Mary Bullion has volunteered at the hospital for 23 years
From Staff Reports
ALBANY — Mary Bullion, who has logged more than 3,400 hours, has been named Phoebe Volunteer of the Year for 2017.
The announcement came Thursday at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital’s annual volunteer luncheon.
“I can’t thank the staff enough for making me feel a part of the team,” she said. “I truly enjoy what I do and working with the patients.
“I honestly think I have gained more than I have given.”
Phoebe officials said Bullion began her volunteer service with the facility’s emergency center in 1994, not long after she and her husband, the Rev. Jim Bullion, came to Albany, where he became rector at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church.
The emergency center staff see Mary Bullion as a vital part of their team, hospital officials said, noting that she is perceptive about what is going on around her and knows how to lend a hand without getting in the way.
“They recognize how much she cares about the patients and their families, and they have great respect for her skills and dedication,” hospital officials said.
She continues to volunteer in the emergency center, but also works in the infusion center of the hospital. In 2012, she was part of a group of volunteers who piloted and developed what is now Relaxation Therapy/Gentle Touch.
Phoebe officials say Mary Bullion helped educate the Phoebe staff on the benefits of gentle touch and, along with other volunteers, worked through all the necessary steps to begin the program. Because of her hard work, hospital officials said, Relaxation Therapy/Gentle Touch is a successful program benefiting the lives of many cancer patients.
Phoebe honored all 492 of its volunteers for their compassion and commitment at the luncheon, which was conducted at the Bindery at Oakland Library in Lee County.
The volunteer of the year is chosen by the volunteer advisory board, which receives nominations from departments throughout Phoebe Putney Health System.
The volunteers support approximately 80 different areas throughout Phoebe. During 2016-17 year, they provided 55,532 hours of volunteer service, officials said.
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