By Daily Press staff
The Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center recently honored its more than 600 active volunteers by hosting a volunteer recognition luncheon.
The center recognized 121 volunteers who achieved year and hour milestones at the medical center during the past year.
Santa Monica resident Jette Simmons was the top honoree, with more than 64,000 hours of service. Two other westside residents, Alice Kurtz of West Los Angeles and Kuljit Marwah of Malibu, were honored for 34,000 and 20,000 hours of service, respectively.
Ruth Ensslin of Sherman Oaks was the top honoree in the year category, having achieved 30 years of volunteer service.
The center also paid tribute to members of the Santa Monica-UCLA Auxilary, a principal support group for the hospital. Since 1942, the auxiliary has donated more than $3.5 million to the hospital through various fund-raising activities.
Adult volunteers donated more than 60,000 hours of service to Santa Monica- UCLA in 2002 by assisting caregivers, working in non-clinical departments and running the hospital gift shop.
The hospital’s workforce includes adults, pre-medical students and pet-owner therapy teams that visit patients during their hospital stays.
For more information about volunteer opportunities at Santa Monica-UCLA, call (310) 319-4614.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 16, 2003. Read the original PDF.