Sandra Haskell, of Stow, Director of Volunteer Services and Community Relations at Robinson Memorial Hospital was recently awarded the Robinson Memorial Hospital Foundation Employee Distinguished Service Award for her dedication to Robinson Memorial Hospital and the Robinson Memorial Hospital Foundation.
As Director of Volunteer Services and Community Relations, Sandy oversees nearly 500 volunteers at Robinson Memorial Hospital who directly contribute to the comfort, care and well-being of patients, their families, the staff and visitors. In 2011, volunteers provided service to nearly every department at Robinson Memorial and contributed approximately 64,500 hours, which equates to $1.37 million. Volunteers range in age from 14 through nearly 100!
Sandy also oversees The Auxiliary of Robinson Memorial Hospital, which provides service to the hospital and its patients, to promote the health and welfare of the community and to provide funds through special projects for additional patient services. The Auxiliary donates approximately $100,000 annually for major projects, just some of which include mammography equipment, heart monitors for the emergency department, cardiology equipment and much more. The Auxiliary community service projects include a Lifeline Program, the Robinson Memorial Hospital Gift Shop, and a Farmer’s Market during the summer months at Robinson Memorial Hospital.
In addition, Sandy oversees the hospital’s Love on a Leash program, which currently has 18 pet partner teams who visit patients at Robinson Memorial Hospital and provide therapeutic dog visits to patients, family members and staff.
Sandy is also responsible for other numerous programs at the hospital including its Art Reflections program, Healthcare Heroes, White Coat Shadowing, Children’s Health and Safety Fair, Blood Drives, Food Drives, and much more. The Robinson Memorial Hospital Operation End Hunger Thanksgiving Food Drive collected more than 13,500 items benefiting six agencies in Portage County and thousands of families. She recently began a volunteer music program, further enhancing the patient, staff and visitor experience at the hospital.
“Sandy Haskell’s leadership at Robinson Memorial Hospital impacts every aspect of the hospital and the community,” said Deborah Solan, Executive Director of Robinson Memorial Hospital Foundation.
“Sandy assists the Foundation in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, serving on various committees, supporting the Foundation and the Hospital, and enhancing the Hospital image in all her actions,” said Jeanne Fisher, Director of Environmental Services, who nominated Sandy for this award.
Sandy is also involved in numerous professional and community organizations including serving as chair of the Akron Regional Hospital Association (ARHA) Volunteer Directors’ Committee, board member of the Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce, and co-chair of Leadership Portage County Health Day. She is also the Northeast District Chair for Ohio Healthcare Volunteer Management Association and a member of the Retail Operations Committee for the Association for Healthcare Volunteer Resource Professionals.
Sandy was also a member of Leadership Akron and graduated from The University of Akron with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business and Organizational Communications.
Prior to coming to Robinson Memorial Hospital, she was an instructor in the Department of Communications at The University of Akron. She was also co-owner and Vice President of The Word Christian Resource Center and had served as Senior Community Affairs Representative for East Ohio Gas (Dominion).
Sandy and her husband, Robert, have two daughters and live in Stow. Sandy is also very active at The Chapel in Akron and at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, where her two daughters attend.
The criteria for the Robinson Memorial Hospital Foundation Employee Distinguished Service Award includes: supporting the goals of the foundation; enhancing the image of the foundation among hospital employees and others in the community; performing noteworthy activities on behalf of the foundation; displaying exceptional character on behalf of the foundation; and enhancing the image and assets of the Robinson Memorial Hospital Foundation by assisting in a volunteer or fundraising capacity.