To say that much has changed recently at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital would be an understatement. The new coronavirus has changed our lives in ways that we could not have imagined a few weeks ago, and as we isolate and practice social distancing, we miss the people who have been important parts of our daily lives in this close community.
Entering our very first - and, hopefully, last - Volunteer Week without volunteers gracing our halls, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to our volunteers, whose welcoming presence and generosity are sorely missed.
Whether greeting patients and families entering the hospital, helping visitors in wheelchairs to get where they need to go, or carrying meals and supplies between departments, our team of almost 100 volunteers enlivens and supports every corner of BMH. They are always willing to go above and beyond in making sure that everyone who visits our hospital feels welcomed and valued.
The way that our volunteers are most able to help right now is the way that many of us have been asked to help: they are keeping their distance and staying home to protect our community.