Meet Our Ambassadors

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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!

Faye Berkowitz: 382 Volunteer Hours
Main Campus - Canine Greeter & Pet Therapy | Beachwood - Canine Greeter»

Why did you select Cleveland Clinic for Volunteer Service?

I have a friend that was volunteering at the Cleveland Clinic Children's five years ago when the Canine Greeter program was being considered. She knew I had a therapy dog and suggested I look into it.

What do you enjoy most about your Volunteer Service?

After a while, I realized my weekly Pet Therapy visits were not just a benefit to a handful of patients I could see individually, but now, through the Canine Greeter program, I can boost the spirits and reduce tension for dozens of family members waiting nervously for their loved ones to get through surgery.

With patients coming to the Cleveland Clinic from all over the world, often only a single family member is by themselves in the waiting room. But a sudden interaction with the dog can help discover a comradery between otherwise strangers seated nearby, break the ice in striking up conversations, help everyone pass the time, and for those alone, provide them with an instant support group.

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

One of the areas I would visit on main campus was the ICU family lounges. Sometimes families are "camped out" for weeks, so you get to know them a little and they look forward to your visit. One of my favorite stories happened a few years ago just before the winter holidays. One week I met a nice woman whose husband was in ICU. She was occupying her time knitting, and had a few hats and mittens on the table that she said were Christmas gifts for the family.

The next week she was still there and the coffee table in front of her was full enough that she could have opened a store. On the third week she was still there, but the table was bare. She smiled broadly when she saw me, "We're finally going home!" she said, "And I was hoping to see my favorite dog before we left so I could give him this." she added, pulling a scarf from her overstuffed knitting bag that she had taken the time to knit for Tex.

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

It may be a "mega" hospital, but when returning patients and staff remember your schedule and make a point stopping to see you and your dog, it feels like you're part of a small family.

Marcyanna Fritz: 227 Volunteer Hours
Main Campus - Spiritual Care Volunteer»

Why did you select Cleveland Clinic for Volunteer Service?

I literally pass three hospitals on my way to Cleveland Clinic. I could have chosen to volunteer at any one of them. But I looked at what I myself have received from Cleveland Clinic, as well as the care my husband received during his last illness, and that he also was a volunteer at the main campus, and it was an almost automatic, foregoing conclusion that I would choose to do my volunteering at Cleveland Clinic.

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

As an Eucharistic Minister, I see many patients. I happened to walk into one room, and as I began to interact with the patient, the misery in her face was palpable. I asked her what was going on and she explained that the nurse had just told her she would have to go a nursing home to continue her healing process. We talked for a few moments and I shared with her that, in her situation, it was just a stopping place in order for her to get well enough to go home. I continued praying with her, and left to continue my visits.

The next time I was in the hospital, she again was one of the patients I saw. When I walked into her room, before I could even say anything, she thanked me for speaking with her a few days earlier, as she now felt a sense of peace and knew that she could handle this next step in her life.

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

The choice to volunteer is a very personal one, and I would say that there are as many reasons for volunteering as there are volunteers. Often we know of someone who has received care at Cleveland Clinic. This could be the basis for volunteering, in order to “pay it forward” to others who may be in very similar situations, and remember, as a volunteer, you WILL receive far more than you could ever give.

Adam Weible: 64 Volunteer Hours
Main Campus - Outpatient Area Volunteer»

What do you enjoy most about your Volunteer Service?

I enjoy being able to talk with such a diverse group of caring individuals. I find inspiration from talking to people as different in walk of life as an MD PhD from a foreign country to someone who is older and taking care of children who have lost a parent.

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

One example where I really felt that I made an impact was listening to a patient grumble under their breath about how the doctor did not talk to her after the procedure. I went and asked one of the nurses to page the doctor who came to talk to the patient almost immediately.

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

If you have an open heart to listen and an open mind to think of ways to serve, then I am sure you will enjoy working at the Cleveland Clinic. It's such a rewarding, inspiring experience to be surrounded by so many wonderful people at the Clinic.

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.

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