Memphis, Tenn., April 29, 2005 - Baptist Memorial Health Care hosted a luncheon on Thursday, April 21 at the Holiday Inn at The University of Memphis to honor the volunteers who work in its metro-Memphis hospitals.

The volunteers represented Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis, Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville, Baptist Rehabilitation-Germantown and Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto. Women from the Baptist Auxiliary also attended the luncheon.

Each volunteer was given a gift and was recognized for the number of hours they volunteered in 2004. Special musical performances and a magician from Sparkman’s Magic provided the entertainment.

“Our volunteers work so hard, and we can never thank them enough for what they do,” said Jennifer Ramsey, manager of volunteer services at Baptist Memphis. “They play such an important role in our hospitals, and we want them to know we truly appreciate them.”

Baptist volunteers perform many tasks, including working in hospital gift shops and at information desks. They also deliver mail, flowers and magazines, and they read to patients when asked. Volunteers work in offices and help with paperwork. They push hospitality carts – stocked with free cookies and coffee – around the hospitals, and sometimes they even play games with patients. Experience Critical volunteers, a new group at Baptist, work in the emergency room to make families and patients more comfortable, give updates to families and assist the staff.

For more information about becoming a Baptist volunteer, please call (901) 227-2727 or visit www.baptistonline.org.

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