Who Cindy is . . .

• She has volunteered in patient care since 2009, serving over 300 hours. She added the Sparks of Life program to her schedule earlier this year.
• In addition to piano, she plays guitar and violin.
• She is currently pursuing a B.S.N. at SUNY-Downstate, with eyes on an NP degree.

What Cindy does at NYM . . .

• She has worked over 300 hours, including patient care at Infill 5, on the Medicine and Surgery Unit; on 8 North, Infill 4 and the Cardiac Catheterization Unit.
• She plays the piano in the Sparks of Life Program on 8 South once a week (and sings, if coaxed!)

• “It has definitely made me a more compassionate person and grateful that there is such a thing as volunteering. When people come into the Hospital, they are usually in a vulnerable state. In a matter of ten minutes or an hour, you can sometimes make a connection that leaves both parties with a lasting impression and a touching memory.”

• “With the Sparks program, I have come to realize how therapeutic music can be. It can bring patients back to another period of their lives. It elicits positive memories and feelings, and serves as an emotional de-stressor and a pain detractor. There are so many encouraging, healing elements to music and I am delighted to be part of this project.”

March 2012

Ante-Partum Volunteers Margaret Johnston and Debbie Dorfman



Our ante-partum volunteers teach hospitalized expectant mothers to knit and crochet. Many stay at the Hospital for only a week but  the expectant mothers who need to stay for a longer period of time are sometimes at risk of feeling isolated and inactive. According to Rose, the nurse manager on the unit, "Knitting gives them an activity that lifts their spirits.”

One patient, who has no prior experience with knitting, is currently knitting squares that she will eventually stitch together into a blanket for her new baby. She is also planning to make booties for her baby, if she has the time. In any event, the knitted baby things will be a reminder of the difficult, but ultimately rewarding time she spent at New York Methodist.

Margaret Johnston, Time out for Fun and Ante-Partum Volunteer

Who Margaret is . . .

• A retired administrative assistant for a Manhattan law firm
• A resident of Bay Ridge

What Margaret does at NYM . . . 

• Started volunteering in the Ambulatory Infusion Center in September 2010, serving lunch, finding blankets when patients asked, and teaching knitting. At the infusion center, she primarily teaches cancer patients who are at various stages of treatment. “Many patients just like to have company to help pass the time.”
• Recently began teaching knitting in the ante-partum unit, where mothers-to-be are quite receptive to the idea of having something engaging to do while they wait out their pregnancies. “Learning how to knit seems to really help them pass the time, keep their minds occupied and have the satisfaction of making little items for their babies.

What volunteering at NYM has taught Margaret…

• “Through both of my volunteer positions I have met many wonderful people, both patients and staff. I'm always impressed by the grace I see and the appreciation shown in difficult circumstances. They have brought something special into my life.”

Debbie Dorfman, Cuddler and Ante-Partum Volunteer

Who Debbie is . . .

• A retired school-based social worker from Westchester
• A mother and grandmother, living in Park Slope
• A person with 40 years of experience knitting and crocheting

What Debbie does at NYM . . . 

• Debbie began her volunteer service in the infusion center as well as being a Cuddler, holding newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
• After a couple of weeks, she began visiting the ante-partum unit, and found that expectant mothers are often quite enthusiastic about learning to knit.
• “Yarn work is my favorite and most relaxing hobby,” she said, a hobby that she hopes will help these mothers-to-be through a challenging time and into their future as mothers.

What volunteering at NYM has taught Debbie…

• “Volunteering has reinforced for me that small gestures can make a significant difference,” she said. “It also helps me to remember the importance of personal interaction, and of the value of simple kindness.”

February 2012

Nicole Sciarrillo, Sparks of Life Volunteer

Spoonful of Sugar Program







Who Nicole is . . .

• Originally from California.
• A long-term resident of Carroll Gardens.
• A first year masters degree in social work student at New York University.

What Nicole does at NYM . . . 

• Nicole served as an Ambassador Volunteer from June 2009-August 2010 visiting with patients and caregivers throughout the Hospital giving over 100 hours of service.
• In December 2010 she created Spoonful of Sugar. 
• Once a month she coordinates a group of visiting artists to come to NYM and share their talent with the patients, “providing a little bit of sweetness during challenging times.”
• Artists involved with Spoonful of Sugar are from all media; those who draw, paint, sing, knit, and read poetry visit with individual patients and create a unique gift for the patient.
• Nicole is in the process of becoming a leader through New York Cares in the hopes of bringing their volunteers into NYM and continuing  to expand the program.

What volunteering at NYM has taught Nicole…

• “One of my favorite aspects is seeing how the staff reacts to our visits.  The nurses and all of the staff work so hard and if we can lift their spirits, we know that it will reverberate throughout the Hospital.  I'm very grateful to the Volunteer Department because volunteering at New York Methodist was a great catalyst in helping me to change careers and to choose social work as my new path.”



Spoonful of Sugar volunteers, Hilary Downes and Christian Gibbs, performing original songs along with classics by the Beatles and by Johnny and June Carter Cash.

January 2012

Stephanie Cobham, Patient Care Volunteer



Who Stephanie is...

• A long time resident of Brooklyn, Flatlands neighborhood.
• She worked in finance for over 20 years. After being laid off in 2009 Stephanie cared for a close family member who was diagnosed with cancer.  The family member encouraged Stephanie to enter the medical field.
• Stephanie graduated this past June as a medical assistant.Her goal in the near future is to complete her studies and become a registered nurse.

What Stephanie does at NYM...

• Stephanie serves as a patient care volunteer on Infill 6.
• Since September she has given over one hundred and thirty hours of service.
• She has helped to train six new volunteers. "I’m honored to have mentored new volunteers, care for patients with compassion and kindness, and develop relationships with patients and staff.  I do whatever is needed to bring comfort to patients."

What volunteering at NYM has taught Stephanie…

• “People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care!”

December 2011

Surgical Waiting Room Liaisons

Clockwise: Alice Sandgrund, Robert Henderson, Penny Breiman

Who the Surgical Waiting Room Liaison's are...

• Volunteers from the community who have given combined service of 10, 468 hours and over 60 years.




Josette Fletcher, Margaret Bartsch, Jeanne Capalbo



What the Surgical Waiting Room Liaisons do at New York Methodist...

• Guide family members of patients in surgery through the waiting process.
• Offer a lending hand and listening while family members wait for their loved ones to get out of surgery.
• Escort family members to recovery rooms.




Brett Harvey, Sandra Surgan, Les Alan Levinowitz



The Surgical Waiting Room Liaisons volunteer because…

• "I volunteer because I'm retired, have time on my hands, and wanted to make a contribution to my community. The moment when family members grab my hands and say, 'Thanks so much for your help!' makes it all worthwhile."  Brett Harvey
•  "I volunteer because 8 years ago this hospital saved my life when I was very sick, and I feel like I owe New York Methodist."  Les Alan Levinowitz

November 2011

Theresa Geraci: Patient Care Volunteer



Who Theresa is…

• A native Brooklynite, living in Dyker Heights her whole life.
• A full-time senior attending Fordham University majoring in Natural Science on the pre-med track. 
• A future doctor; her career goal is to attend medical school to become a obstetrician/gynecologist.

What Theresa does at New York Methodist Hospital...

• Since June 2010 Theresa has served as a patient care volunteer in both the mother/baby and labor-and-delivery units giving over 280 hours of service.
• She has served as a mentor helping to train countless new volunteers on both labor and delivery and mother/baby.
• She currently works once a week in the labor and delivery unit assisting the registered nurses and physicians with various tasks, as well as help the new mothers cope with the pain and excitement that they are experiencing with the birth of their child.
• By working in labor and delivery, she develops personal relationships with the patients due to the crucial events that are occurring at the moment. 
• “My favorite aspect about volunteering is building trustworthy and personal relationships with the patients, as well as the nurses and physicians, while being able to help each and every one of them.”

What volunteering at New York Methodist Hospital has taught Theresa…  



• “By observing the commitment of the nurses and physicians, and experiencing one-on-one relationships with patients, I have learned and observed the meaning of true dedication and service. Knowing what this entails, I now know what it takes to achieve my goals.”

October 2011

Roxanne Michele Serville: Ambassador Volunteer







Who Roxanne is…


• A native New Yorker who has lived in Midwood, Brooklyn all her life.
• A customer service expert having worked in the customer service industry for the past 31 years.  She has worked for banks, airlines, and most recently as a Client Services Manager for New York City’s Employee Retirement System.
• A mother of one son and a grandmother of 4 grandsons.

What Roxanne does at NYM…



• As an Ambassador Volunteer Roxanne visits patients and caregivers throughout the hospital offering information and emotional support.  “My favorite part of the Ambassador Program is communicating with the patient’s loved one.  I myself was a caregiver for my mom so I know the joys and the trials and tribulations that they face as caregivers.” 

What volunteering at NYM has taught Roxanne…


• “As I've matured, and in part to due to effects that the current recession has had on many of us, I have come to realize that the saying 'money doesn't buy you happiness' is very true, and that my personal gratification doesn't just lie solely in having a career and making as much money as I can. Giving back has become even more important in these difficult times we're living in, and I've always seemed to be the 'go to' person that my family and friends reach out to when they need a 'sympathetic ear' to listen to them.   As long as you have health and strength you need to give back.  I truly enjoy it.”

August 2011

Our August Volunteers of the Month have all been a part of the Volunteer Department’s Summer College Internship Program.  Participating students commit to serving a minimum of 12 hours a week for 8 weeks.

Steven Anglade: Administrative Volunteer




Who Steven is…

• A lifelong Brooklyn resident growing up in the Flatbush neighborhood.
• A junior at SUNY Brockport majoring in Health Administration.  
• His goal is to get his Masters of Public Health and eventually become a hospital administrator.  
• Of his future career he says, “Hospitals are not just clinical places, they are also businesses.  As a hospital administrator I want to make sure that doctors, nurses and staff are all getting what they need so that they can best serve the patients."

What Steven does at NYM...

• Volunteers  twice a week in the Department of Cardiology and twice a week in the Department of Medical Records for a total of 16 hours a week.

What volunteering at NYM has taught Steven…

• "Volunteering at New York Methodist has taught me to be more productive and more professional.  It has given me a hands-on learning experience.  I have learned that there is more than just learning in a classroom.  Volunteering here has shown me what my career will really be about.”

Asmara Kazmi: Patient Care Volunteer




Who Asmara is...

• A lifelong Brooklyn resident, growing up in the Midwood neighborhood.
• A senior Psychology Major on the premed track at Barnard College.
• Her goal is to become a doctor, possibly an Oncologist.

What Asmara does at NYM...

• Volunteers once a week on 7 North and 8 North, and twice a week on Infill 6 for a total of 16 hours a week.  
•  “I assist patients with whatever they need, visit with patients, help the nursing staff, run errands etc.”

What volunteering at NYM has taught Asmara...

• “I think more than anything it has given me a new found confidence in interacting with people.  I have always been a people person, but volunteering here has given me the confidence that one day when I become a doctor I’ll be able to talk to patients.”

Akiva Pollak: Patient Care Volunteer




Who Akiva is...

• A lifelong Brooklyn resident, growing up in the Midwood neighborhood. 
• He is a junior Macaulay Honors Student at Brooklyn College completing a double major in Biology and History.  
• He has also served as a volunteer EMT in the Flatlands neighborhood for the past six months.
• His goal is to become a doctor, possibly in Emergency Medicine.

What Akiva does at NYM . . . 

• Volunteers twice a week on 7 North and once a week on Infill 4 for a total of 12 hours a week.  
• “I help the nurses with anything they need: changing beds, bringing water, handing out meals, stocking supplies, I’m happy to do anything that will help.”

What volunteering at NYM has taught Akiva...

• “Volunteering has taught me to be a more compassionate person.  I’ve learned to want to help people who are really in need.  I’ve also learned that I really enjoy patient care.”

June 2011

 Judith Hooper, Sparks of Life Volunteer



Who Judith Is…

• Park Slope resident since  1976
• Former fashion illustrator and children’s book illustrator
• Board of Directors Member of Brooklyn Waterfront Artist Coalition (BWAC)
• An accomplish artist who celebrates life through her artwork using the mediums of: sculpture, collage, topographic landscape, ceramics and works on paper

What Judith does at NYM…

• Judith has been an active NYM Volunteer since April 2000
• She has given over 1,000 hours of service
• Judith first volunteered with our Reach Out and Read Program.  For four years she read stories to patients in our Outpatient Pediatric Clinic.  But she did more than read stories; she would turn the waiting room into her classroom.  She says, “It was fun because some of the kids had maybe never been read to before.  They would watch in wonder as the words from the stories would come out of my mouth.”
• She has been a Sparks of Life Volunteer since 2003 teaching art to patients on NYM’s Pediatric, Adult Psych, Geriatric Psych Units and in NYM’s Outpatient Infusion Center.
• She stresses to patients that, “There are no rules in art.  You just need to have fun and be truthful.”

What volunteering has taught Judith…

• “I realized that life gave me the ability to create.  I believe that if you have a gift you need to share that gift.  Volunteering at New York Methodist allows me to share the joy I have in what I do.”

May 2011

 Matt Dros, Project Contact Volunteer



Who Matt is…

• Lifelong Brooklyn Resident
• Former derivative trader for Bear Sterns
• After Bear Sterns’ collapse in 2008, with the encouragement of his wife, Matt decided to pursue a career in medicine
• He recently completed Columbia’s pre-medical post baccalaureate program and will be applying to med school for 2012
• Recent recipient of Mary Valez Emergency Room Award for his service and the compassion and care he gives to the patients in New York Methodist’s ER.

What Matt does at New York Methodist Hospital…

• Matt has been a Project Contact Volunteer in NYM’s Emergency Room since October 2009.
• He has given over 400 hours of service to this program and NYM’s patients.
• He says of his time in the ER, “The work is extremely personal with the direct patient contact.  Patients will often confide, rely on and put their trust in me to advocate on their behalf conferring a great responsibility.”

What volunteering at NYM has taught Matt…

• “Being an integral part of the ER has allowed me to put myself in the place of the healthcare providers- it lets me believe that my goals are concrete and achievable.”