The Cottage Health Volunteer Awards Luncheon, held in April, paid tribute to the 450 volunteers who, over the past year, have donated nearly 95,000 hours of service at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital and Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital.
Special acknowlegment and a lifetime recognition award were presented to Toni Straka for her 62 years and 15,578 hours of volunteer service at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.
Cottage volunteers serve across most departments, including Emergency, Surgery, Intensive Care, Physical Therapy, Orthopedics, and Wound Care.
Ron Werft, president/CEO of Cottage Health, praised the vital work of volunteers during the awards luncheon with 150 volunteers in attendance.
“As volunteers, you have chosen to generously share your gifts, and we are all better because of you,” he said. “Your service is seen through every area of Cottage Health, and you are truly part of the care team.”
“Being at Cottage is a highlight of my week,” Straka said. “I look forward to meeting and working with wonderful people. Whether it is an easy day or one with many challenges, my goal is to leave with a smile on my face to mirror the smile of others.”
Cottage awarded five $3,000 academic scholarships to Santa Ynez Valley High School students who plan to pursue careers in healthcare. The recipients were Gabriel Rodriguez, Chase Sylvia, Diana Corona, Allison Linane and Jazmin Gonzalez Salin.