Among those who attended Henry Mayo's volunteer recognition event at the Hyatt Valencia included (left to right): Marsha McLean, Mayor of Santa Clarita; Cindy Peterson, (seated) Henry Mayo's Chief Information Officer; Jackie Bick, District Representa

Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital recently paid tribute to its volunteers, recognizing them for going the extra mile to make a difference in their community by helping staff and patients at the Valencia hospital.

During the special luncheon held April 18 at the Hyatt Valencia, Roger Seaver, the hospital's president/CEO, praised the Henry Mayo's approximately 270 volunteers for unselfishly giving their time for the betterment of their community.

"We're so fortunate to have such an incredible support from our volunteers," Seaver said. "We're very grateful for what they do. Our volunteers are heroes in our eyes, and they truly provide an invaluable service to our hospital's patients and staff."

The hospital's volunteers, who range from age 14 to 94, contributed 51,223 hours of volunteer work in patient and non-patient areas during fiscal-year 2006, which ended Sept. 30, hospital officials said.

National Volunteer Week activities culminated with a thank you pizza/ice-cream social for the teen volunteers on April 20. Robert Horth, M.D., shared his stories about medical school with the teens, entertaining them with stories of college and medic

Chand Khanna, M.D., Chief of Staff, expressed great gratitude towards the volunteers for their devotion to the hospital. "You're a wonderful group of people," he told the audience gathered at the Hyatt. "Your dedication to your work is unparalleled."

And the Mayor of Santa Clarita, Marsha McLean, who attended the luncheon, echoed similar sentiments. "Volunteerism is the soul of our country, the soul of our valley, and we're so blessed to have you all," she told the volunteers.

Maria Strmsek, director of Volunteers Services, said Henry Mayo cannot thank its volunteers enough for all their contributions. "Our patients and staff adore and admire our volunteers, and consider them to be remarkable individuals," she said.

For more information on becoming a hospital volunteer, please call 661-253-8051.