Mount Sinai leaders saluted the more than 1,200 volunteers who support The Mount Sinai Hospital and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai during a recent breakfast held to honor their commitment and dedication.

Following a performance by two volunteer flutists from the Music for Healing program, Peter W. May, Chairman, Boards of Trustees, Mount Sinai Health System, told guests: “There is a broad range of individuals who help Mount Sinai. While some have the capability to support us financially, many more give their valued time, spirit, and compassion to help patients, families, and staff. We salute your enthusiasm and accomplishments.”

Volunteers work in more than 200 placement areas, including patient care, research, education, and office support. “You have helped us expand and enhance many of our programs,” Kenneth L. Davis, MD, Chief Executive Officer and President, Mount Sinai Health System, told the volunteers. He noted that 18 volunteers, including two fluent in Spanish, are now able to staff the Derald H. Ruttenberg Treatment Center six days a week.

David L. Reich, MD, President and Chief Operating Officer, The Mount Sinai Hospital, said, “What I experience walking around the hospital is an amazing display of caring and compassion. Every volunteer is a hero to Mount Sinai.”

Jean C. Crystal, member, Boards of Trustees, has been an enthusiastic volunteer for 28 years. “The superb leadership of the Department of Volunteer Services has helped not only to recruit outstanding volunteers, but to retain them,” she said. Ms. Crystal founded the highly visible Ambassador Program, whose volunteers welcome a patient’s family and friends to Mount Sinai. The program resides in the Joseph F. Cullman Jr. Institute for Patient Care.

“We make a very big place seem small, and welcoming,” said Claudia Colgan, Vice President of Quality Initiatives. Concluded Cynthia Levy, Director, Department of Volunteer Services: “We should all be very proud that we are truly helping the mission of Mount Sinai.”