Presentation of the Medal for Volunteers at The Ottawa Hospital

Her Excellency is accompanied by the 16 recipients who were recognized for their work.

Dr. Jack Kitts offered welcoming remarks.

She was greeted by Mr. Tim Kluke, President and CEO of the Ottawa Hospital Foundation (left) and Dr. Jack Kitts, President and CEO of the Ottawa Hospital (right).

The recipients were warmly applauded by those who attended the ceremony.

After her husband, Ross Tuddenham, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, Kim Teron joined The Ottawa Hospital’s fundraising group Partners Investing in Parkinson’s Research (PIPR) in 2011. Since then, she has become its co-chair and has participated in the annual Run for Reason event during the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend, as well as in ‘educational discovery’ sessions with Ph.D. students to raise awareness of the patient and family experience. PIPR recently met its fundraising goal of $1 million.

Since 2005, Daniel Moine has been assisting staff and providing care to patients in the Surgical Day Care Unit of The Ottawa Hospital, in addition to training the unit’s new volunteers. Several times a week, he can be found comforting patients, cleaning and making beds, preparing supplies, and performing various administrative tasks, thereby helping to foster a welcoming and caring environment for everyone.

In October 2005, Lillian Meehan began volunteering at The Ottawa Hospital; since then, she has worked at the Information Desk, trained volunteers and prepared welcome baskets for new patients. Performing many tasks over the years, she has provided compassionate care to patients and their families, and has helped sustain a welcoming and healing environment.

Avetik Kocharyan began volunteering with The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre in 2010, caring for patients and fulfilling the role of patient ambassador, where he provides direction and assistance regarding hospital services. He constantly brings positivity to the hospital’s environment and comfort to those he cares for, and as a team leader, he mentors other volunteers to do the same.

Cancer survivor Helene Hutchings began raising awareness and funds for cancer research at The Ottawa Hospital and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario by establishing Hair Donation Ottawa in 2011. Under her leadership, this initiative has raised over $250,000, collected over 15 000 inches of hair to be made into wigs for cancer patients, and engaged thousands of people in the National Capital Region.

For eight years, Roberta Driscoll has been a driving force behind Partners Investing in Parkinson’s Research (PIPR), in addition to her ongoing commitment to the Summer Literacy Program at the Perth and Union District Public Library, and to the United Way. Under her leadership, more than $750,000 has been raised for PIPR during the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend, strengthening a sense of community and rallying people from across Canada behind a common cause.

Claude Bedard has been a volunteer at The Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation Centre for four years, helping with the Meal Assistance Program and at the Information Desk, where he ensures patients and visitors receive proper direction. During the course of his time with the hospital, he has taken on leadership roles in patient care, trained new volunteers, and helped foster a community among patients, volunteers and staff.

As an official Canadian honour, the Medal for Volunteers incorporates and replaces the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award, created in 1995 by then-governor general the Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc. The Medal builds on the legacy and spirit of the Caring Canadian Award by honouring the dedication and commitment of volunteers.