Southwestern Vermont Health Care Names 2019 Outstanding Volunteer of the Year

Bennington, VT—June 5, 2019—Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) is pleased to announce the 2019 Outstanding Volunteer of the Year, Everley St. Peter of Shaftsbury, VT.

The Outstanding Volunteer Award is given to the volunteer who shows dedication to patients and staff, provides excellent customer service, quality in all work that they do, and empathy and respect in all interactions with patients, staff, visitors, and fellow volunteers.

St. Peter has volunteered providing reiki to patients, visitors, and staff since 2005. Reiki is a form of integrative therapy that uses touch to promote healing. She discovered reiki after the events of September 11, 2001, when she shared, “I felt compelled to find something I could do to help my fellow man.”

After a level one course, she found many willing to allow her to practice on them and soon had a loyal following, one of whom recommended she provide reiki at the hospital.

“That planted the seed for me to gather up the courage to find out if it was even possible,” St. Peter remembers.

“We are so grateful that Everley was inspired to bring her skills and compassion to us,” said Jennifer Civello, SVHC’s director of volunteer services and community outreach. “She and fellow reiki practitioner volunteer Phyllis Michaelson bring so much comfort to those they touch.”

Thomas A. Dee, FACHE, SVHC President and CEO, presented the award at the Volunteer Appreciation Lunch at the Mt. Anthony Country Club.

Other nominees included Mary Ann Carlson of Arlington, Phyllis Michaelson, of North Pownal, Ron Myers of Bennington, Cecil Potter of Bennington, and Peggy Taber of Hoosick Falls. The event recognized each nominee and nearly 30 volunteers who had reached milestones from 100 to 11,500 hours.

“We appreciate each volunteer for offering their unique gifts and talents to the integral volunteer program at SVHC,” Civello added.

For information about becoming a volunteer at SVHC, visit svhealthcare.org/careers/volunteer or call 802-440-4024.

About SVHC:
Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) is a comprehensive, preeminent, health care system providing exceptional, convenient, and affordable care to the communities of Bennington and Windham Counties of Vermont, eastern Rensselaer and Washington Counties of New York, and northern Berkshire County in Massachusetts. SVHC includes Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center, the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation, and the SVHC Foundation. SVMC includes 25 primary and specialty care practices. For more information, visit svhealthcare.org.

Southwestern Vermont Health Care complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Language assistance services, free of charge, are available at 1-800-367-9559.