(NAPSA)—Little did Doug Dahl realize at the time, but once he stepped inside the recently opened Tampa Shriners Hospital for Children in 1986, he was hooked. For the past 17 years, the man who might be dubbed “Mr. Volunteer” has logged more than 22,000 hours in various capacities at the hospital. His volunteer time is equivalent to about 10% years of full-time work. At the hospital’s 17th annual Volunteer Appreciation Party, Dahl was presented a certificate of achievement. Being singled out is not his “cup of tea,” but he explained that he was deeply honored for the recognition he received in front of his fellow volunteers. When asked what keeps him going as a volunteer—after a 30year career with Rexall Drugs—he replied, “It’s the hospital employees I work with, all the people I meet, including the patients and their parents and, of course, the many volunteers who work with me to makethis hospital one of Shriners’ best. It’s always a joy to come here every day. There’s really nothingelse like it anywhere.” According to Alicia Argiz-Lyons, the hospital’s director of public relations and volunteers, Dahl is an important part of three hospital departments—infection control, pharmacy and public relations and volunteer services. She pointed out that as a memberof the Infection Control Committee, he has reviewed every surgical patient’s chart for classification and the timing of antibiotics since he arrived at the hospital. That accounts for nearly 15,000 patients. In his role as volunteer coordi- Volunteer Doug Dahl meets with a former patient to review her qualifications as a volunteer. nator, he interviews prospective volunteers and matches them with a position in the various departments. “(Doug’s] caring nature is evident in everything he does,” says Argiz-Lyons. “He exemplifies the giving spirit of a volunteer in so many ways. We’re fortunate that he is such an integral part of the Shriners Hospital family. He’s a true angel among us.” For more information on Shriners’ network of 22 hospitals that provide medical care and services totally free of charge to children with orthopaedic problems, burns and spinal cord injuries, write to: Shriners International Headquarters, Public Relations Dept., 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607, or visit the Web site at www.shrinershq.org. Treatment is provided to children under age 18 without regard to race,religion or relationship to a Shriner. If you know a child Shriners can help, call 1-800-237-5055 in the United States, or 1-800-3617256 in Canada.
