Stow resident Faith Field had her tonsils removed at Emerson Hospital seventy years ago, when she was just six. All three of her children were born at Emerson and she and her family continue to use Emerson’s services for their health care. She returns to Emerson every week, not to receive medical care, but to give back to the community through her volunteer work at the hospital.
Recently, she was honored with the 7,000 Hours Service Award at Emerson Hospital's annual Volunteer Awards and Appreciation Luncheon held at the Holiday Inn in Boxborough. Ms. Field started volunteering at Emerson in 1985 and she continues to do so each week. As she explains, “I love helping out, one of my gifts is service and that is what I like doing.”
"One of the hallmarks of Emerson is our focus on giving patients premium care with a personal touch. Our volunteers provide the personal touch to patients and visitors that truly makes a difference," said Christine Schuster, president and CEO of Emerson. “Faith goes out of her way to provide an exceptionally warm experience for each of the patients, family and staff members she sees and we are extremely grateful to have her on our team.”
Prior to her volunteer service at Emerson, Ms. Field worked as an emergency medical technician on the ambulances in Stow. “I’ve always wanted to do something in the medical world that interests me,” she explains. I feel like we should give back to Emerson because it is there when we need it.”
Through the years, Ms. Field has volunteered by supporting Emerson’s endoscopy service and transporting patients throughout the hospital. When she works in the endoscopy department she helps the nurses by filing paperwork, making beds and ensuring the environment is clean and organized. In transport she brings patients who are on stretchers and in wheelchairs to their appointments all throughout the hospital. She also delivers equipment to different areas of the hospital based on department need. “I enjoy the variety and doing lots of different things, but the part I enjoy the most is helping others - both the patients and the Emerson staff,” she said.
"Emerson has more volunteers per patient bed than any other hospital in Massachusetts," explains Janet Davis, director of community services at Emerson. "However, it is not simply how many volunteers we have, but the caliber of volunteers we have. Our community can't help but feel welcome and confident when they meet Faith. She is truly a gift to Emerson and to every patient and staff member who has the privilege of meeting her."
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Emerson Hospital is a multi-site health system headquartered in Concord, Mass., with additional facilities in Sudbury, Groton and Westford. The 179-bed hospital provides advanced medical services to more than 300,000 individuals in 25 towns. To learn more, visit www.emersonhospital.org.
