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News Release

Media Contacts:
Christina Chavira
Communications Specialist
530.332.5589 - office; 530.588.4411 - cell
christina.chavira@enloe.org   

Enloe Volunteer Services offers training for Patient Ambassadors

CHICO, Calif., Dec. 22, 2008 – Enloe Medical Center's Patient Ambassador Program is recruiting new volunteers to support patients and families. Enloe is seeking compassionate volunteers to visit patients in the hospital, help with their simple wishes, provide diversions, and offer a listening ear, caring touch and access to healing arts.

Enloe’s Patient Ambassador volunteer training class takes place over three upcoming Mondays – Jan. 12, Jan. 26, and Feb. 2 –  from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Class participants receive training, information and resources needed to provide meaningful visits. Interested parties should call Enloe Volunteer Services at (530) 332-4575 for more information and an application. The application is also available online at www.enloe.org/volunteers. An application and scheduled interview should be completed before class begins.

“Becoming a Patient Ambassador would be a nice opportunity for those who have made a New Year’s Resolution to give back to the community by helping and caring for others,” said Roseanna Galindo-Kuhn, director of Volunteer Services at Enloe Medical Center.

The Patient Ambassador program at Enloe helps reduce the physical, psychological, social and spiritual anxiety of patients and their families. As an integral part of Planetree at Enloe, these patient-centered volunteers give the gift of time and fulfill minor patient requests. Tasks may include engaging in conversation, visiting, reading, playing cards, offering caring touch and providing access to healing arts. Patient Ambassadors may also support the nursing unit by assisting with administrative tasks.

Patient Ambassadors are chosen for their personal attributes and commitment to the Planetree philosophy’s focus on patient-centered care. Important qualities in a Patient Ambassador include compassion, good listening skills, and the ability to be respectful, personable and nurturing.

Each new volunteer at Enloe is also required to attend a 3.5-hour information session and orientation before they begin volunteering. The next new volunteer information session and orientation takes place Monday, Jan. 5 from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. These sessions will also be held in February and March. The Patient Ambassador training class will be held again in May.

More information about volunteering at Enloe can be found online at www.enloe.org/volunteers. To learn more about Planetree at Enloe, visit www.enloe.org/planetree.

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Enloe Medical Center is a local, nonprofit health care organization. For more information, please call 530/332-7300 or visit us online at http://www.enloe.org.   Enloe Medical Center is located at 1531 Esplanade Chico, Calif.  95926.