Vassar Brothers Medical Center

We welcome caring individuals to be a part of our team. We offer the following patient care opportunities:

• Emergency Department: Communicate our genuine concern and compassion for patients and their families.
• Music Therapy: Volunteers trained in the clinical use of music to accomplish individualized goals such as reducing stress, improving mood and self-expression
• Patient care areas: Assist our staff with delivering kind, compassionate care to our patients, guests and staff.
• Patient to Patient, Family to Family Emotional Support Volunteer: Peer-to-peer supporters are people who have “been there.” They are empathetic and compassionate, working with those who have similar life circumstances to their own. Although the experience of one person can never be exactly the same experience as another, having someone to relate to can be incredibly supportive and reassuring. A peer-to-peer supporter, using the appropriate skills, can help an individual navigate their health journey from a physical, emotional and spiritual perspective.
• Pet therapy: This program welcomes volunteers whose dogs are qualified with an approved organization (Good Dog Foundation, Therapy Dogs International and Pet Partners)to engage with patients and staff throughout the hospital. Volunteers must be 18 years or older to participate and able to commit to at least three visits per month.

We carefully screen all volunteers before processing and placing them in appropriate assignments. Our process includes:

• Initial interview with the Manager of Volunteer Resources
• Medical clearance
• Reference checks
• Criminal background check
• Drug screening
• Attendance at a mandatory orientation

Applications

Adults & College Students Age 18+

Students (Minors) Ages 16-17

Susan Browning
Kevin Cleary
Timothy Dean
Wesley Dixon
Debra Domber
Kimberly Heller, MD
Shay Humphrey
Thomas Robinson, MD
Ronald Tatelbaum, MD
Steven Tinkelman
James Walker, Jr.
Darrell Wheeler

Officers
Kevin Cleary, Chair
Steven Tinkelman, Vice Chair
Susan Browning, President 

Directors
Darrelyn Brennan
Kristi Brien
John Choi, MD
Sharon Faulkner
Carolynn Frankel
Geeta Gorwara, Vice Chair
Sunny Intwala, MD
Craig Irwin, Chair
Randi Petrovits
Niloufer Rodrigues, MD
Ann St. Germain
John Ventosa

Staff
Grace Linhard, Chief Development Officer
Brian Wyatt, Secretary
Dan DeBarba, Treasurer