Kayo Sands, Our Longest Serving Volunteer, Retires After 28 years
For the past 28 years, three days a week for four hours Sands has been a familiar and friendly presence at the Rotunda Information desk. "As the hospitals' longest running volunteer she has dedicated her life to volunteering," noted Andrea Henry, Director of Volunteer Service. "She knows everybody."
A resident of Lebanon, Sands began volunteering after her doctor told her "to get out of the house. So I came here," she explained. Before coming to DHMC she volunteered at New England Deaconess and Boston Children's Hospital.
On the two days that Sands wasn't at the front desk, she volunteered in the Pink Smock Shop, and over the years also helped in the intensive care nursery and critical care waiting room. A long-time member of the Assembly of Overseers, Sands also served from 1993 to 1995 as the President of the Auxiliary Volunteer Organization. During those two years, as part of that role, she was a member of the MHMH Board of Trustees. Asked why she liked volunteering here, with a huge smile she responded, "I've just loved it."
The sentiment was pretty clear from the individuals who came to show their appreciation with flowers, cards and plenty of hugs that they loved having her here as well.
"Someone like Kayo epitomizes the commitment that so many people who have invested a good portion of their lives in this organization have," said Dan Jantzen, Chief Operating Officer. "She's a friend and a familiar face that I'm going to miss."
Nancy Formella, co-president of Dartmouth-Hitchcock, described her as "part of the fabric of this organization. Her dedication and commitment to the patients and all of us here is unsurpassed."
For the individuals that worked with her at the information desk, the praise was ten-fold. "She's been a remarkable human being. She is the best customer service rep that we have at the front desk," said Pam Alfen, Administrative Supervisor of the Information Desk.
Working beside her for many years, Cindi Jenks-Cedrone, an information desk receptionist credits Sands with teaching her about how the hospital works. "She's a smart lady and knows so much about the hospital that she's willing to share. I'm going to miss her so much. It's not going to be the same."
