Volunteer Gives Time to Help ER Staff Who Saved His Life

A rather unique individual has recently joined the Harris County Hospital District Volunteer Services Program at Ben Taub General Hospital.

On Feb. 26 last year, retiree Al Greene, suffering from chest pain, was rushed to Ben Taub’s emergency center. After undergoing triple bypass surgery and several weeks of recovery, he walked into the volunteer office and offered his spare time to assist the trauma staff.

"The doctors, nurses and staff at Ben Taub Hospital were instrumental in saving my life and I wanted to give something back to the hospital," said Greene.

Greene donates his time at least three days per week and at least six hours per shift. Whenever the nurses in the trauma center need an extra pair of hands and feet, he’s there to run errands, push wheelchairs, answer phone calls, deliver prescriptions to the pharmacy, pick up supplies, deliver charts and cards to shock rooms and lend a sympathetic ear to the patients and staff.

"It takes a pretty tenacious person to work in a Level I trauma center," said Dede McClamroch, district director of Volunteer Services. "The volunteers who work in the trauma center must have mature judgement and boundaries. The staff there are very task oriented and don’t have time to give repeated directions to volunteers."

Additionally, Greene has been invited to participate in Ben Taub’s new Volunteer Patient Advocacy Program, which allows volunteers to assist the customer service advocates with patients in other areas of the hospital. He is a tremendous asset for the volunteer program since he has been here and he fully realizes some of the needs and concerns of our patients.

A retired executive, Greene devoted many years to the pursuit of business. Today, he brings to Ben Taub the same dedication and professionalism he demonstrated in the work place.

The hospital district staff is honored to have volunteers from the community, like Al, who devote their time and energy to support patient and staff needs, especially during their retirement years.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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