April is Volunteer Appreciation Month<br>Hospital volunteers are 'unsung heroes' Published March 31, 2010 By Steve Pivnick 81st Medical Group Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The 81st Medical Group hospital volunteers are the "unsung heroes" of the facility, but their numbers are dwindling. Commanders have long noted the volunteers, who have been in the hospital since 1985, provide an invaluable service by augmenting the professional staff in several critical areas. Prior to 1985, they were under the auspices of the American Red Cross at the Sablich Center. Today, volunteers can be found in the pharmacies, women's wealth, the hematology/oncology clinics and the operating room recovery area. There are also 15 volunteers providing wheelchair escort service to help patients get to and from appointments as well as helping man the information desk in the outpatient services entrance lobby. Volunteer coordinator Usa Jones, a volunteer since 1983, noted that before Hurricane Katrina struck in August 2005, there were almost 150 volunteers. Today she has about 55 on her list. Volunteers assist in the hospital on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the pharmacies and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in other areas. Escort service volunteers are available from 7 am. to 4 p.m. Col. (Dr.) William Boleman, 81st Medical Operations Squadron deputy commander, is the medical group liaison to the volunteers. Anyone 18 years of age or older with a Department of Defense identification card may become a volunteer. For more information about the program, call 376-3415, 3771 or 3772.