CMC Recognizes Volunteers with the Palmetto Awards
Conway Medical Center has 145 volunteers serving at multiple facilities in a variety of capacities. Our volunteers are dedicated individuals that provide exceptional service to meet the diverse needs of our community, staff, and patients.
Each year CMC recognizes volunteers who have achieved 10, 20, and occasionally 30-year milestones, celebrating their years of service and achievements. On April 20, 2023, CMC held the Palmetto Awards for the first time since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We had a lot of catching up to do as we honored those who achieved their 10 and 20-year milestones in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
CMC president and CEO, Brian Argo, and Carol Biagini, the director of Volunteer Services, along with a variety of members of the CMC leadership team, were on hand to recognize the following individuals for their unique talents and service:
KATHY GERHART 10 YEARS
Kathy has served in many roles as a volunteer with CMC. Kathy participated in an array of Fund Raising activities that benefited CMC. She also volunteered in the OR waiting room, Gift Shop, the Critical Care unit, and the American Red Cross blood drives. Kathy was instrumental in training new volunteers in their roles. Kathy contributed 2271 hours reaching the Palmetto milestone in 2021, before retiring from volunteer service.
MARJORIE O’GRADY 10 YEARS
Marjorie has served in many roles with the CMC including visiting with patients as a customer service ambassador. Marjorie currently holds the position of CMC Auxiliary President. As the president, she manages the Auxiliary Gift Shop where she handles a great deal of the buying. You will find her involved with a multitude of events including the CMC Foundation Golf tournament. Some of the Auxiliary events she’s helped organize are the book sale, Love Lights, jewelry sales, gently used sales, recipe book fundraiser, t-shirt sales, and the holiday craft bazaar. As the CMC Auxiliary President, she holds a seat on the CMC Foundation Board as well. Marjorie has contributed 6395 hours to CMC and the CMC Auxiliary reaching the Palmetto milestone in 2021.
EMAN ZAKI 10 YEARS
Marjorie has served in many roles with the CMC including visiting with patients as a customer service ambassador. Marjorie currently holds the position of CMC Auxiliary President. As the president, she manages the Auxiliary Gift Shop where she handles a great deal of the buying. You will find her involved with a multitude of events including the CMC Foundation Golf tournament. Some of the Auxiliary events she’s helped organize are the book sale, Love Lights, jewelry sales, gently used sales, recipe book fundraiser, t-shirt sales, and the holiday craft bazaar. As the CMC Auxiliary President, she holds a seat on the CMC Foundation Board as well. Marjorie has contributed 6395 hours to CMC and the CMC Auxiliary reaching the Palmetto milestone in 2021.
MICKEY JOHNSON 10 YEARS
Mickey served for many years as the CMC Auxiliary Treasurer and volunteered regularly as a gift shop attendant along with brief encounters in the OR and Endoscopy waiting areas. Mickey was instrumental in the implementation of payroll deduction for our employees to make shopping convenient for staff. She has been involved over the last 10 years with an array of fundraising activities that benefit CMC including the CMC Foundation Golf Classic, Auxiliary book sales, Love Lights, jewelry sales, and the holiday craft bazaar. She currently volunteers with the Auxiliary Gift Shop making sundry items and special favors for our patients. Mickey has contributed 4589 hours to CMC and the CMC Auxiliary reaching the Palmetto milestone in 2021.
DONNA MALLORY 10 YEARS
Donna is another very dedicated member of the CMC Volunteer team in the One Day Surgical Unit. For many years she has served providing care to our patents, families and staff. As a part of the surgical unit team, Donna preps all the pre-pop kits and provides support to staff. Donna is instrumental in training new volunteer staff members. Along with CMC Volunteering, Donna serves on the board of Shepherds Table, and volunteers with her church and at the Myrtle Beach Airport. You will find Donna in One Day Surgery on Monday mornings or perhaps another as she is quick to step in and fill in when someone is out. Donna has contributed 1,340 hours of service to CMC reaching the Palmetto milestone in 2023.
LYNNE TICSE 10 YEARS
Lynne began volunteering as an Endoscopy waiting room volunteer and later moved on to become a cuddler volunteer. She is a very dedicated member of the cuddlers in the Maternal Child Health Services providing love and compassion while taking great care of the babies here at Conway Medical Center. Lynne is instrumental in training new volunteers in their role as cuddlers. She is also the smiling face that was chosen for the cover of our Volunteer Services brochure. Lynne has contributed 2654 hours to CMC reaching the Palmetto milestone in 2021.
BARBARA TURNER 10 YEARS
Barb served as part of the team in the Conway Medical Center Auxiliary Gift Shop on Fridays afternoons pre-Covid. She is also the person behind the beautiful gift arrangements so many of our guests purchased for our friends and patients. She had a very hidden talent that she continued to do virtually post-Covid. As a member of the Conway Medical Center Auxiliary, Barbara spent many hours on fundraising activities and was a buyer for the Auxiliary Gift Shop until most recently when she relocated to be close to her children.. Barb contributed 2,209 hours reaching the Palmetto milestone in 2022.
JOYCE MCINTYRE 10 YEARS
Joyce is a very dedicated member of the cuddlers in the Maternal Child Health Services providing love and compassion to the babies who are born here at Conway Medical Center. In addition, she provides a great deal of support to the staff. She makes up the new baby patient folders in preparation for each new arrival. She is also instrumental in training new volunteers in their role as cuddlers. Joyce has contributed 2289 hours to CMC reaching the Palmetto milestone in 2022.
ISABEL BAKER 10 YEARS
Isabel began volunteering as a cuddler volunteer. She is a very dedicated member of the cuddlers in the Maternal Child Health Services rocking and comforting the new babies who are born here at Conway Medical Center. You will find Isabel in the nursery every Thursday afternoon. She is one of our trainers for new volunteers in our nursery. Isabel has contributed 1261 hours to CMC reaching the Palmetto milestone in 2023.
PATRICIA QUINLAN 10 YEARS
Pat served for many years in a chaplaincy role throughout CMC including the Kingston Nursing Center. Not returning post-Covid, Pat is one of the ladies behind the scenes that makes beautiful bereavement outfits for babies that pass. She also makes walker bags, scarves, prayer shawls, lapghans, bibs for patients, and so much more. There is so much dedication and love that goes into these items that are gifted to our CMC patients. Pat was instrumental in facilitating a group within her community to make a multitude of items for our patients. Pat has contributed 9,800 hours to CMC reaching the Palmetto milestone in 2022.
MIKE WATSON 10 YEARS
Mike is a very dedicated member of the CMC Volunteer team. For many years he has served as a Patient Escort providing wheelchair transport to patients and visitors, if someone is needed to fill in for an extra shift, Mike is always willing to step in if he is not volunteering at other charitable entities in our community or the local college. Mike also assisted with the CMC Foundation Golf events. He is an essential part of the Tuesday and Thursday afternoon CMC team and has contributed 2646 hours of service to CMC reaching the Palmetto milestone in 2023.
MARY BROWNING 10 YEARS
Mary assisted in Case Management, baked and greeted donors for the American Red Cross Blood Drives held at CMC, served as a dedicated member of the cuddlers in the Maternal Child Health Services, was a reception liaison for Imaging Services, and then transferred to the Gift Shop. Mary was a very active member of the CMC Auxiliary fundraising activities. She was also one of the people behind the scenes doing some of the buying for the auxiliary gift shop. She had a very contagious laugh and was excellent with the patient and families who visited CMC. Mary contributed 2,491 hours before she relocated to be closer to her children reaching the Palmetto milestone in 2022.
DIANNE LINDQUIST 10 YEARS
Diane has served several years in the OR waiting room as a liaison to our patients, their families, and our staff. Dianne held the CMC Auxiliary board secretary position for many years before stepping up to the position of CMC Auxiliary Vice President. As the vice president, she aides in a multitude of Auxiliary duties and responsibilities. She is also a main worker bee who is involved with many events including the CMC Foundation Golf Classic, book sales, Love Lights, jewelry sales, gently used sales, recipe book fundraiser, t-shirt sales, holiday craft bazaar, Southern Linen online sales and Rada Cutlery sales. She does a great deal of the buying and actively fills in for other volunteer shifts in addition to her regular Monday shift. Dianne has contributed 4,480 hours to CMC and the CMC Auxiliary reaching the Palmetto milestone in 2023.
DORIS LOS 20 YEARS
Doris is a very dedicated member of our Volunteer Services who has served in several areas over the past twenty years which include Accounting, Endoscopy waiting, the CMC Auxiliary Gift Shop, Physical Therapy area when it was the Wellness and Fitness Center. With the closing of the pool and changes to the facility and her husband, Mr. Joe retiring from volunteer services, Ms. Doris took a leave to take care of him. Several years later, Ms. Doris returned and has been at our Outpatient Imaging Center. Doris has been a very dedicated member of the CMC team. She has contributed 4007 hours to CMC and 20 years of service.
Volunteer at CMC
Conway Medical Center is in a unique position to see the benefits of volunteerism as hundreds of people have donated their time and expertise within our walls. Many are retirees who bring with them skill sets that they can put to use here in our many departments.
Other assignments outside their areas of experience give them the opportunity to try something they’ve never done before and offer them a chance to stay mentally sharp. Volunteers who make deliveries or escort patients and visitors on our campus have the added physical benefit of logging thousands of steps.
The social aspects of working and helping others at CMC can have a profound effect on your overall psychological well-being. You’ll have the opportunity to make meaningful connections amongst our volunteers, employees, and patients. Become a part of the CMC family, and add more zest to your life.
