Meet Our Ambassadors

Toll-Free: 866.320.4573

Call Us Toll Free:

866.223.2273 x1234

Humanitarian Award Winners

Our volunteers are extraordinarily talented and committed to Cleveland Clinic.
Click below to see our 2012 Humanitarian Award winners.

2012 Humanitarian Award Winner: Pearl Crain»

P20:  Surgical Waiting Area
Date Active:  April 30, 2004
Total Hours:  3,431

Pearl Crain is nominated by Kim Magalski and Michelle Levay of PACU/SDS/Pediatric PACU for the 2012 Alexandra Razavi Humanitarian Award.  Pearl is a self-motivated, empathetic advocate for patients and families.  She gives of her time generously, twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Pearl also volunteers for High Tea on Wednesdays at the Taussig Cancer Center.  This humanitarian has given of herself approximately 3,225 hours over the past eight years.  The Surgical Waiting Area is a very hectic and demanding environment.  White there, she takes the initiative to meet the needs of our challenging patient population.  Some of her responsibilities include being available for questions, emotional support and rounding.  She has helped with Patient Satisfaction by keeping everyone involved updated regarding surgical delays. 

She exemplifies World Class Service by her genuine, warm smile and calming effect.  This ambassador is always on the look out for those in need, helping families to navigate through this difficult time.  Pearl is also very involved with the P20 Desk staff, with her team spirit and thoughtfulness offering snacks and a kind word.  We are blessed to have Pearl on our team with her professional demeanor and contributions to enhancing the patient experience.

2012 Humanitarian Award Winner: Robert Trask»

M30-43:  Ronald McDonald Family Room
Date Active: January 21, 2008
Total Hours:  1,285

Robert Trask is nominated by Linda Peters, Family Room Coordinator. Bob Trask has volunteered on Monday afternoons from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Ronald McDonald Family Room since it opened its doors almost five years ago. He and his wife Linda are a caring duo who welcome family members, patients and guests into the Room with a smile and warm hello.

The families enjoy his jovial personality -- things are never serious around Bob.  He is a big tease with a heart of gold!  Having been a school principal, he is well prepared to interact easily with parents and children.  He takes his job seriously and puts the Patients and Families First.  He and Linda rarely miss a Monday and often come in on holidays and serve a special meal for our families.

Bob is always thinking of the Family Room and ways that he can help.  He found out a member of his church picked up day old pastry donations to give to worthy groups and Bob was able to procure some of those for the Family Room.  He has spoken to several restaurants he frequents to see if they might donate a meal to the Family Room.  He and Linda bring in magazines and books to share with family members.  They often stay beyond their shift to help with a meal served to our families the first Monday of the Month when I need them.  He and Linda have been awarded Volunteers of Merit from Ronald McDonald House for their distinguished service.

Bob can really empathize with patients because he is a liver transplant recipient himself and spent considerable time as a patient at the Cleveland Clinic.  On Tuesdays Bob is back at the Clinic sharing his transplant experiences with patients about to undergo the procedure or recovering from the procedure.  It is comforting for these patients to talk to someone who has been where they are and is doing so well.  Bob has learned that “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” (quote by Jackie Robinson) and he does his best to have a positive impact lightening others loads as best he can.  He gives his time freely and with genuine caring!

Current Ambassadors

Want to hear more about what it's like to volunteer at Cleveland Clinic?
See what a few of our current Ambassadors have to say!

Tieisha Mitchell: 230 Volunteer Hours
Main Campus - Junior Ambassador»

Why did you select Cleveland Clinic for Volunteer Service?

I selected Cleveland Clinic for volunteer service becasue it is a very well known hospital with a diverse population of people throughout the Northeast Ohio area. Here at Cleveland Clinic, the caregivers are well-known for helping patients get well and I am proud to be a part of that process.

What do you enjoy most about your Volunteer Service?

I enjoy working and interacting with the patients during their visit at Cleveland Clinic. I enjoy seeing a smile on the caregiver's and the patient's faces as well.

Share a story where you felt your Volunteer Service made an impact.

I felt that my volunteer service made an impact when I served at the Children's in M33. I had a special job to deliver books to the children in need of love. I always saw a smile on a child's face. I feel that a volunteer coming into the rooms and delivering books to the children made them feel like Cleveland Clinic truly cares for them

Pat Rayman: 2,595 Volunteer Hours
Main Campus - Children's Volunteer»

Why did you select Cleveland Clinic for Volunteer Service?

I work here in research and this was a way to be involved in the clinical side.

What do you enjoy most about your Volunteer Service?

I feel I make a difference not only in the children’s stay here, but often in the nurse's day as well.

Share a story where you felt your Volunteer Service made an impact.

Once I was staying with a little one whose Mom was late getting there. They needed to start a surgical procedure so the nurse asked if I would go with the child until the mother came. I actually carried the child into the surgical suite and held him as they prepped him because he had fallen asleep in my arms. It was a humbling experience to have a child trust me so much.

What would you say to someone who might be interested in volunteering at Cleveland Clinic?

Please do it. You will get back more than you give.

Ted Valvoda: 1,293 Volunteer Hours
Main Campus - Outpatient Area Volunteer»

Why did you select Cleveland Clinic for Volunteer Service?

As a former college professor, I was used to interaction with a lot of people and wanted to do the same in a volunteer capacity. As a person treated at various times at the Clinic personally, as well as having family members treated there, I was very familiar with the Clinic and looked upon the chance to be a part of it as very desirable.

My six years at Cleveland Clinic have offered me interaction with others, pride in affiliation with such a prestigious organization, and great personal satisfaction with the appreciation and respect that full-time Clinic personnel have shown to their volunteers. As a side note, my wife has recently become a volunteer also, working as a Spiritual Care volunteer. We both feel very satisfied to be of service to patients and visitors.

What do you enjoy most about your Volunteer Service?

Being really useful to others. Hardly anyone comes to Cleveland Clinic for fun, and as Dr. Cosgrove once said at one of our meetings, "Most who come here are scared." To help guide others, to ease their way around this huge complex, to make new friends with many Cleveland Clinic caregivers sends me home each week with a feeling of "I was really useful and helpful today." I have always felt that I get more from volunteering than I give.

Share a story where you felt your Volunteer Service made an impact.

Often I see people coming down the walkway from the garage with their appointment papers in hand, utterly confused, perhaps a bit overwhelmed, looking all around like deer in the headlights, and I call them over to the desk, greet them with a big smile and ask how I may help them. After they are underway, relaxed, smiling and saying "Thank you very much," I think that it doesn't get much better than that. I made a difference for those people. Calling the shuttle for folks who really need a ride down that long Skyway does the same.

What would you say to someone who might be interested in volunteering at Cleveland Clinic?

If you are thinking of becoming a Clinic volunteer, I urge you to get in touch with Volunteer Services and give it a try. Whatever skill or background you possess, this place is large enough and has enough variety to fit you. I would be glad to talk with you personally about my Cleveland Clinic volunteer experience.

Contact Volunteer Services

To find out more about our programs and opportunities or to learn how you can become a Cleveland Clinic Volunteer at our Main Campus or one of our Cleveland area Family Health Centers, please submit a request below or call us locally at 216.445.6986 or toll-free 800.223.2273, ext. 56986.

Submit a Request