Doctors Hospital honors Volunteer of the Year
Krista Martin burst into tears of happiness and surprise when her name was called as the Frist 2001 Award for Volunteer of the Year at Doctors Hospital.
Krista Martin shows off her Frist 2001 Award for Volunteer of the Year at Doctor's Hospital, while Terry Gunn, the chief executive of Doctor's, reads some of her accomplishments.
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"I like helping other people and seeing them when they get discharged to go home," Martin said. "I really like working with the children."
Martin has focused much of her volunteer time on helping disabled children and has created several extracurricular programs for them. Born with Downsyndrome, Martin has participated in the Special Olympics and was named the Special Olympics Athlete of the Year in El Paso, Texas. She now volunteers her time to help younger participants.
"Martin has helped establish programs for disabled children, including a weekly bowling league and dance program in Beaufort, S.C.," said Terry Gunn, the chief executive of Doctors Hospital. "She also enjoys speaking to groups of parents of handicapped children."
Martin has volunteered at Doctors Hospital for the past five years and recently received a five-year pin marking her years of service.
"She has invested 1,920 hours at the progressive care unit at the hospital," Gunn said. "She is just a very special person to us who is always here with a cheerful word and a bright smile. She makes the patients' and the doctors' day."
In the PCU, which treats acutely ill but not critically ill patients, Martin helps run errands for nurses and delivers requested items such as a towel or a glass of water to patients. She takes care of patients and also helps their families understand what the patient may be going through.
"I'm just really glad I can help people get better," Martin said. "And I am really amazed to get this award."