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St. Vincent's In Bridgeport Names Volunteers Of The Year

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- St. Vincent's Medical Center named Bridgeport resident Laura Durkin and Branford resident Brian D. Sager its 2016 Volunteers of the Year.

Laura Durkin of Bridgeport and Brian Sager of Branford are St. Vincent's Medical Center's Volunteers of the Year.

Laura Durkin of Bridgeport and Brian Sager of Branford are St. Vincent's Medical Center's Volunteers of the Year.

Photo Credit: Contributed photo

More than 150 of the hospital's volunteers attended the annual Recognition Reception, marking service anniversaries ranging from 100 to 10,000 hours. In total, 300 volunteers donated more than 46,000 hours during the past year. "Our volunteers are truly the heart and soul of our hospital," explained Volunteer Services Director Julie Lawrence.

Durkin moved to Connecticut from Brooklyn five years ago and applied to be a volunteer. Since then she has never missed a SWIM Across the Sound event

"St. Vincent's is such a welcoming place," stated Durkin. "The staff and volunteers are friendly and I always look for ways we can work together in order to help patients and families." 

Durkin contributes to several departments, including the St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation, information desk, Mission Services, and Pastoral Care. She also serves as a Eucharistic minister.

"Laura is a model for Volunteer Services behavior. She raises her hand to fill in where we need her, and wherever she is..she is making people smile," said Lawrence.

Sager is a Stanford University graduate and minor league baseball pitcher as well as a nursing student at St. Vincent's College. He has volunteered, first with the annual SWIM Across the Sound Marathon and then at St. Vincent's Special Needs Services.

"The students and staff at Special Needs are amazing people," said Sager. "It's my philosophy to jump right in and help out when I can. I would encourage anyone to volunteer there." 

Sager was introduced to St. Vincent's Special Needs by its Director of Nursing Christina Longden, and has since volunteered for the annual Easter Egg Hunt, FEROLETO Day, the Special Needs School Prom, the Elizabeth M. Pfriem Circus, and more.

"Brian is an all-star to the students," offered Lawrence. "He is compassionate and caring and has stepped up to coordinate fellow nursing students to volunteer with him to support our children with special health care needs."

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