Garnet Health is Celebrating National Volunteer Week 2025

“Service Is Our Commitment to the Community” is more than just a motto at Garnet Health—it’s a deeply rooted value that guides our Volunteer Services team and the incredible individuals who give their time and heart to help others.

Each year, 220+ volunteers serve in more than 100 areas of our hospitals, outpatient sites, and clerical offices. In 2024 alone, volunteers contributed over 18,850 hours of service, equating to more than $702,900 in donated time. Whether in Transport, the Emergency Department, registration, the gift shop, or the front desk, our volunteers are often the first and last people you encounter when visiting our locations—and their impact is immeasurable.

Our “Professional Volunteers”

Among our cherished volunteers are some whose service spans decades. Steve Grossman and Toni McGibbon began volunteering at Horton Hospital, while Eileen Ernst has been supporting our Sullivan County community for over 40 years. Together, these three incredible individuals have donated more than 95 years of service and thousands of hours to our patients, staff, and community. Their leadership and dedication make them true ambassadors of our mission.

Students Who Serve and Soar

Every year, Garnet Health welcomes approximately 100 student volunteers—from high schoolers to those completing 2- or 4-year college degrees. These students contribute to areas like guest services, neuroscience, non-invasive cardiology, pediatrics, legal/risk, purchasing, and marketing. They support Community Health outreach efforts and assist food-insecure patients through our on-campus pantry, the Food Farmacy, where volunteers helped take in and distribute 15,000 pounds of food this year.

Student volunteers gain firsthand experience in critical care areas such as the Emergency Department, Same Day Surgery, and the Cardiac Cath Lab. For many, this exposure helps clarify their future career path—whether it be healthcare, research, or community service.

From Volunteer to Healthcare Professional

We are proud of our student volunteers who have gone on to build careers in healthcare:

• Medical School:
  • Jacob Kaplan
  • Milan Patel
  • Nino Lostumbo
  • Robert Adler
  • Tyler Gopee
• Nursing School:
  • Isabella Frunzi
• Registered Nurses:
  • Anne Yang
  • Christine Ji
  • Emily Kinney
• Other Healthcare Professionals:
  • Brody Wiles, MD, Anesthesiologist, Columbia-Presbyterian in NYC
  • Nachman Feig, Administrator, Boro Park Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing

We’re equally proud to employ 37 former student volunteers at Garnet Health in roles such as Patient Transporters, Nursing Assistants, Tele-sitters, Cardiology Technicians, Pharmacists, Physician Assistants, and Registered Nurses. What began as a few volunteer hours has transformed into a lifelong calling of service.

Giving Beyond Our Walls

Garnet Health volunteers don’t only support our facilities—they also give back throughout Orange and Sullivan Counties. Here’s a look at the many local and regional organizations where our volunteers serve:

• Annual Heart A Thon
• Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
• Bloomingburg Church
• First Presbyterian Church, Goshen
• Food Bank of the Hudson Valley
• Goshen High School’s Leo and Interact Clubs
• Hospice of Orange & Sullivan
• Jewish Family Services
• Lions Club of Bethel
• Lions Club of Neversink
• Middletown Lions Club
• Middletown, NY AAPC Chapter
• Monroe Lions Club
• Monticello Rotary
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• SC Homeless Federation
• The Animal Rights Alliance Inc. (T.A.R.A.)
• United Way of Sullivan (Monticello)

A Century of Service

We also want to recognize and honor Norma Selman, a longtime volunteer who retired this year after reaching the incredible milestone of 100 years of age. Though she has moved to New Jersey, her legacy of kindness and selflessness remains a beacon of inspiration for all of us.

To Our Volunteers: Thank You

Garnet Health would not be the same without the energy, dedication, and compassion of our volunteers. Whether you’ve served for a summer or several decades, you are the heartbeat of our community—and we are so grateful for all you do.

Happy National Volunteer Week! Your service truly is our strength.