Friends of WVU Hospitals celebrate volunteer service hours at annual ceremony

Friends of WVU Hospitals held its annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony on April 24 at WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital.

The group supports patients and their loved ones in many ways across WVU Hospitals, raising funds to enhance patient care and comfort at Ruby Memorial Hospital, WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s, and WVU Medicine Fairmont Medical Center. 

In 2025, Friends of WVU Hospitals made a meaningful impact through its service and support: 

• 564 volunteers provided 22,839 hours of service
• 21 therapy dogs provided comfort and companionship
• 14,217 e-cards were delivered to patients
• 1,456 Welcome Baby Bags were assembled for WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital
• Volunteers participated in 28 No One Dies Alone (NODA) vigils, offering compassionate companionship to patients in their final moments 

“Our volunteers make a lasting difference for our patients and their families by giving their time, compassion, and support,” Kimberly Hartsell, director of WVU Hospitals Volunteer Services, said. “While we set aside one special day each year to recognize their dedication, we are thankful every day for the impact they have across WVU Hospitals.”

Three awards were presented during the ceremony, including:

• Veda Pennington, 2025 Volunteer of the Year
• Anne Bolyard, Lesley Klishis Life Membership Award
• Pamela Mayo, Outgoing President’s Service Award for the Friends of WVU Hospitals

Friends of WVU Hospitals Board officers elected during the annual meeting were:

• Bernadette Rush, president
• Thad Welch, vice president
• Pamela Mayo, secretary

Volunteers were also honored for reaching 100, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 hours of service to WVU Hospitals.

Outstanding adult volunteers include:

• 2,000 volunteer hours: Patrick Burns
• 1,000 volunteer hours: Sabrina Bennett, Carolyn Chiasson, Jennifer Ernest, and Brenda Stiles
• 500 volunteer hours: Sally Hazard, Gary Naegele, Midge Thorn, Thad Welch, and David Wilcox

  

• 100 volunteer hours: Mamie Boyce, William Cahn, Erin Crouse, Mary Elliott, Charles Hill, Amy Kline, Regina Leatherman, Li-Nah Lynge, John Mayle, Vada Pennington, Anna Marie Stephens-Hawkins, Ian Stoeppelwerth, and Tracey Tennant
  

Outstanding college student volunteers include:

• 100 volunteer hours: Asma Aribi, Sophia Bell, Pratham Bhanushali, Abigail Corrigan, Alyssa Ellershaw, Abigail Gutta, Julienne Ho, Emma Howell, Benjamin Kleiner, Naomi Kleiner, Allison Kohler, Jakob Lutz, Izabella Majewski, Elizabeth Murtha, Hannah O’Neil, Anushka Pathak, Verapratha Presad, Delayne Pyle, Mercedes Smith, Karleigh Tipton, Emma Troischt, and Teagan Willard

For more information about Friends of WVU Hospitals or to volunteer, please visit wvumedicine.org/locations/ruby-memorial-hospital/about/volunteer/ or email [email protected].