Geri Richards

2020 Servant’s Heart Award Winner

A volunteer with Ballad Health Hospice House, Geri Richards regularly goes above and beyond the normal call of duty – especially for a volunteer – in helping patients and staff. She is always looking for safe ways she can assist as the hospice care team deals with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

One of Geri’s nomination submissions from a fellow team member stated that “she is scheduled to work as a volunteer at the hospice house twice a week; however, she will come in whenever needed to assist patients and staff. On several occasions she has come in and volunteered in 12-hour shifts in order to assist staff with patients and visiting with patients to keep them calm and comfortable as they are transitioning from life to death. There was a particular patient last year who was in the hospice house as a patient for several months, and his family was not around and he was facing the end of his life alone. Geri spent countless hours reading to him, visiting with him and letting him share his life’s stories with her, and she sat vigil at his bedside in his final hours. Geri truly has a servant’s heart and goes above and beyond what is expected of her as a volunteer. She is a blessing to our staff, patients and their families.”

Another nomination writeup said: “By being such a positive face at the Hospice House and assisting and comforting patients and families in some of their toughest moments, she is helping to show the community what a blessing and support hospice care can be for the patient, families and the community.”