Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Kory Cornum, 81st Medical Group commander, right, and group superintendent Chief Master Sgt. Michael Woods present volunteer coordinator Usa Jones a certificate recognizing her 32 years of volunteer service with Keesler Medical Center Dec. 6, 2013,. She was one of 52 people honored during the annual awards luncheon.

81 MDG honors volunteers

  • Published
  • By Steve Pivnick
  • 81st Medical Group Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Keesler Medical Center held its annual volunteer services awards luncheon Dec. 6 in the Bay Breeze Event Center.

Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Kory Cornum, 81st Medical Group commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Michael Wood, 81st MDG superintendent, presented awards to the 52 volunteers based on their time of service, ranging from less than a year to 41 years:

Less than one year: Linda Fryer, Russell Balch, Rayna Gagne, Huey Gaines, Avian Harris, Aleatha Jackson, Wanda McGee, Dr. Carroll Palmore, Margaret Sepanski, Martha Slinkard and Victoria Swank

One year: Iris Bryson, Sally Ferreira, Betty Francis, James Francis, Jerry Haynes, James Hobbs, Sarah Robinson, Lorraine Santo and Donald Stoner

Two years: Dawn Lyons, Leticia Kammer, Raymond Lyons Jr. and Robert Boston

Three years: Edward Guardanapo, Elvin Kellum, Teresa Olague, Jeanne Hawkins, Jill Clayton and Ana McKitrick

Four years: David Clark, Donna Cifranic, Patricia French, Daniel Scott, Bonnie Cotman and Scott Cotman

Five years: Mary King

Nine years: Gilbert Camburn

12 years: Ruth Taylor

13 years: Helen Bristol

15 years: Thomas Varble

16 years: Christiane Sharp, Seconda Baker and Harry Crawford

17 years: Dean Huffer

18 Years: Raymond Lindsey

25 years: Rosalina Jackson

26 years: Margarite Edwards

28 years: Frankie Petty

32 years: Usa Jones

33 years: Dean Todd

41 years: Louise Turpel

In remarks following the awards presentation, Lt. Col. Winnie Lok-Park, 81st Diagnostics and Therapeutics Squadron pharmacy flight commander and hospital volunteer liaison, said volunteers assist in the pharmacy, at the escort and information desk in the clinic entrance lobby, hospital chapel, tumor registry and radiology.

"Between January and November 2013, the medical center volunteers assisted patients with more than 12,606 hours, which, at an estimated value of more than $279,000," said Lok-Park. "Those working at the information desk provided 17,620 assists, including answering questions and providing directions and medical center maps, and 2,717 wheelchair movements."