Stamford Health is thankful for the many volunteers that make a difference at the hospital every day. Our staff ensures that our volunteers are well-matched and well-recognized for their individual strengths and talents, with a fit for everyone — from teenagers to adults!
Today, we're spotlighting Arlene Hagarty, who volunteers in Guest Services at the hospital.
“Arlene is a ‘take-charge’ individual with a work ethic second to none,” shared Deborah Fedeli, director of Planetree & Patient Experience. “She sees what needs to be accomplished and assists in coordinating tasks for the team. Arlene can visualize where merchandise needs to go in the storeroom or the Gift Shop shelves … She is customer service focused and always goes above and beyond to find the right item, size, or color, and to ensure they are happy with their purchase. Arlene is so dedicated and cares so much, she often ‘works’ a full day supporting the team. She is one in a million, and we are so very lucky to have her on the team.”
Arlene also acts as a handler for Harrison, Stamford Hospital’s resident therapy dog.
“Arlene takes Harrison on patient visits and always has great stories to tell upon their return,” noted Cindy Tanacea, Guest & Patient Experience Administrator. “Harrison elicits the smiles and love of the people, but, as Arlene holds the other end of the leash, she is engaging in compassionate conversations with our patients and their families. These interactions go a long way to brighten their day.”
Learn more about Arlene and her role below. We hope her story may inspire you to volunteer; you can learn more about our volunteer opportunities here.
Once the COVID-19 vaccines became available, the hospital reached out to see if I would help to direct foot traffic at the vaccine clinics. I was excited to help! Looking back on that time, it was a fun experience. Everyone was in a good mood – it was nice to be around people again, even though we were all in masks and the volunteers had to wear glasses.
After the vaccine clinics were over, I started volunteering in the gift shop. Today, I spend time both volunteering at the gift shop and being one of the handlers for Stamford Hospital’s resident therapy dog, Harrison.
Harrison is a celebrity! When I’m walking down the hallways with him, I’m smiling at people, but they’re smiling at him. Everyone is so happy to see him – the employees are just as happy as the patients. The kids love him!
I’ve made great friends here! I need to take a few weeks off over the holidays and I’m sad thinking about not being at the hospital. This role and the people I work with means a lot to me.
As a volunteer, you have flexibility – they count on you, but they are happy with whatever time you can give.
Today, we're spotlighting Arlene Hagarty, who volunteers in Guest Services at the hospital.
“Arlene is a ‘take-charge’ individual with a work ethic second to none,” shared Deborah Fedeli, director of Planetree & Patient Experience. “She sees what needs to be accomplished and assists in coordinating tasks for the team. Arlene can visualize where merchandise needs to go in the storeroom or the Gift Shop shelves … She is customer service focused and always goes above and beyond to find the right item, size, or color, and to ensure they are happy with their purchase. Arlene is so dedicated and cares so much, she often ‘works’ a full day supporting the team. She is one in a million, and we are so very lucky to have her on the team.”
Arlene also acts as a handler for Harrison, Stamford Hospital’s resident therapy dog.
“Arlene takes Harrison on patient visits and always has great stories to tell upon their return,” noted Cindy Tanacea, Guest & Patient Experience Administrator. “Harrison elicits the smiles and love of the people, but, as Arlene holds the other end of the leash, she is engaging in compassionate conversations with our patients and their families. These interactions go a long way to brighten their day.”
Learn more about Arlene and her role below. We hope her story may inspire you to volunteer; you can learn more about our volunteer opportunities here.
Thank you for all the work you do for Stamford Health! Tell us about your volunteer work.
I started volunteering for Stamford Hospital in 2018. I had a few different roles at the beginning, but I ultimately worked as an ambassador at the front desk. I would check people into the hospital, print their badges, and direct them to where they needed to go. Then COVID-19 happened, and we were not permitted to volunteer for a period.Once the COVID-19 vaccines became available, the hospital reached out to see if I would help to direct foot traffic at the vaccine clinics. I was excited to help! Looking back on that time, it was a fun experience. Everyone was in a good mood – it was nice to be around people again, even though we were all in masks and the volunteers had to wear glasses.
After the vaccine clinics were over, I started volunteering in the gift shop. Today, I spend time both volunteering at the gift shop and being one of the handlers for Stamford Hospital’s resident therapy dog, Harrison.
How fun! Tell us more about your role working with Harrison.
I am his main handler on Wednesdays. We start by visiting patients on the pediatric floor. Then, we visit any hospital floors where patients have made a request to visit with Harrison. Next, we walk around a few other floors to see if anyone is up for a visit. Harrison practices his tricks. I take him outside for a walk to get some fresh air and throw the ball around.Harrison is a celebrity! When I’m walking down the hallways with him, I’m smiling at people, but they’re smiling at him. Everyone is so happy to see him – the employees are just as happy as the patients. The kids love him!
Why did you become a volunteer?
When I started in 2018, my daughter had graduated from high school and was going to college. I was afraid of empty nest syndrome and was looking for volunteer activities. I came into the hospital to see one of my doctors and ran into Cindy Tanacea, who works at Stamford Health and who I know personally. We started chatting and she signed me up that day!Would you recommend volunteering at Stamford Health?
Anytime someone tells me they want something to do with their time, I suggest they volunteer. It’s nice to see a friendly face occasionally – and to be that person for others. Working in the gift shop, I sometimes see people I know from the community and it’s nice.I’ve made great friends here! I need to take a few weeks off over the holidays and I’m sad thinking about not being at the hospital. This role and the people I work with means a lot to me.
Do you have any advice for others looking to get involved?
I think people are reluctant to volunteer because they are nervous about how much time it entails. But for me, that’s part of the joy of volunteering – they’re happy to have me here, no matter how many hours I can give.As a volunteer, you have flexibility – they count on you, but they are happy with whatever time you can give.
