At first, Judy Woelke admits she doesn’t quite know how to articulate her passion for volunteerism. She confesses that it’s hard to put into words. But allow her to continue for a while, and it becomes evident that she sees volunteerism as an important web of service that knits together the very fabric of the community in which we live. She sees it as instrumental in improving the lives of others. She sees it as vital to helping those less fortunate.
However, she does not see it as a venue to receive accolades, awards and praise. But ironically, her selfless passion for others resulted in exactly that.
Judy Woelke, director of volunteer services at Nash Health Care Systems, recently received an N.C. Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. She was nominated by the Tar River Mental Health Association.
Woelke isn’t the only one who was honored. A special award was given to Nash Health Care Systems for its employees’ outstanding work within the community. Throughout the year, employees dedicate their time and efforts to such fund-raisers as the American Heart Walk, the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, the
United Way, the Nash Health Care Foundation, and several free community health screenings for prostate cancer, skin cancer, peripheral vascular disease and high blood pressure. Nash Health Care Systems was nominated by Dawn Wilson, communications coordinator.
Networking for the community
Judy Woelke has worked with Nash Health Care Systems since 1974. She graduated from St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Utica, New York with her license in nursing. In addition, she has also taken classes at Wake Forest University for nursing home administration. She spent 25 years working as a nurse in the areas of emergency care, surgical and medical floors, geriatric care and physician’s offices. Before becoming director of volunteer services, she headed the public relations department at Coastal Plain Hospital.
“I was very fortunate to work with Cam Blalock, who was the vice-president of Coastal Plain Hospital. He recognized the need for the community to understand the importance of mental health. He was very supportive of our efforts to eliminate the stigma often associated with mental illness,” Woelke said.
Through her involvement with such volunteer organizations as the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce, the Tar River Mental Health Association, the American Red Cross, the American Heart Walk fund-raiser and many others, she has been able to use her associations to provide information to those who need it.
“I can’t put into words how much we can accomplish when our community all works together,” she said. “We can have so much compassion and so much support. …[our] community is very important to me. It is important to help where you can help.”
Her work the American Red Cross made her realize firsthand the importance of volunteers.
“When you look at all the national disasters such as floods, tornadoes … the Red Cross could not do the work they do without volunteers.”
Building a healthier community
Since 1971, Nash Health Care Systems has made it its mission to “provide quality health care services and to help improve the health of the community in a caring, efficient and financially sound manner.”
Through more than 30 years, this mission has translated in saved lives, sophisticated medical technology and a dedication to excellence.
It should be no surprise then, that those who care for others as a part of their daily routine would find value in caring for the community outside the hospital walls. The opportunities for service throughout the community are many, and in some way, employees have touched every facet of the community.
Nash Health Care Systems raised more than $22,000 for the American Heart Association through the American Heart Walk. Health care workers from the Nash Cancer Treatment Center (and other departments throughout the hospital) can be seen round the clock the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life fund-raiser, and hospital administrators aren’t afraid to take a turn in the dunking booth when it means raising money to help fund United Way charities.
These are not all the charities employees support. Like Woelke, they do not seek rewards or plaques for their contributions. But through the N.C. Volunteer Award, the state has sent all employees, from nursing to nutrition, from housekeeping to rehabilitation, a sincere and resounding ‘thank you.’