Editor, Times-Union: “The door that nobody else will go in seems always to swing open widely for me.” – Clara Barton.
This is an insightful quote from the volunteer who nursed injured Civil War soldiers (North and South alike) back to health on the battlefields; and eventually started the American Red Cross. Today, volunteers continue to make up 96 percent of the American Red Cross workforce.
This year, the National Nurses Week theme is “Nurses: Advocating, Leading, Caring.” Those attributes certainly apply to Red Cross nurse employees and volunteers.
The Kosciusko County American Red Cross is celebrating our own dedicated volunteers who are nurses. Our Disaster Health Services Team is led by nurses Mary Hoffer, Judy Paton and Sandra Earnest.
Our team is comprised of a team of educated, state-licensed individuals who are responsible for evaluating and maintaining the medical records of all volunteers who wish to be deployed; maintaining the medical supplies inventory; and for the medical portion of a shelter for both clients and staff.
These nurses – and thousands more – help the American Red Cross fulfill our mission and inspire all of us in service to others. This National Nurses Week, be sure to say “thank you” to the nurses with whom you work.
If you’re a nurse or other health professional looking to make a difference in your community, become a Red Cross volunteer. Call the Chapter at 574-267-5244.
Kimberly Stout, Emergency Services Director American Red Cross of Kosciusko County Warsaw, via e-mail
