VOLUNTEER STORIES
Volunteers are the heart of our organization. Every volunteer comes to BVMI with a different history, expertise, skills and expectations. Their experiences at BVMI vary as much as their backgrounds.
Whether the volunteer is a physician who is managing a patient's diabetes or working the front desk to check people in, every volunteer is here for the same reason: to help Bergen County's working low-income residents get the healthcare they need and cannot afford.
A "Positive" Result
We all know that special bond that develops between doctors and their patients. Often this bond takes years to develop. But when you have practitioners who are as kind and caring as those here at BVMI, these relationships often form far more quickly. Such was the case several months ago, when a young Pakistani couple walked into our clinic.
DEDICATION PLUS!
BVMI Volunteer Jonathan (Jon) Wolfson exemplifies dedication. During a torrential rainstorm this past April, Jon faced road closings and flooded streets as he made his way to BVMI for his volunteer shift. It took more than three hours from his Old Bridge home that stormy Monday to reach our healthcare center, but Jon felt it was important to be there for BVMI and our patients.
Thank you, Volunteer Victoria Eftychiou!
This month it’s our pleasure to highlight BVMI volunteer and Nurse Practitioner, Victoria Eftychiou! Victoria has been honored with the “Advanced Practice Nurse of the Year” by NJSNA-FNAP in 2007 and 2014, and more recently received the 2017 State Award of Excellence for New Jersey from AANP.
A True Humanitarian
On September 18, Mike will be honored for his efforts by the Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce at their Annual Golf Outing as "Humanitarian of the Year."
"Mike's dedication to BVMI and the patients we serve has been unwavering," says Amanda Missey, BVMI's CEO. "His experience in healthcare, coupled with his willingness to introduce BVMI to individuals who believe in making sure that healthcare is accessible to everyone - regardless of their ability to pay - has helped BVMI grow and will continue to sustain us even after he leaves the board next year. We are very, very grateful for his work on our behalf!"
United by Their Passion for Healthcare
When Dr. Henry Lau first retired, he was restless. His family was growing increasingly worried because it was clear he was so unhappy. It was becoming apparent Henry needed not just a hobby to fill his time, but to find something he was passionate about.
Serendipitously, his colleague and former co-worker, Dr. Charlotte Sokol, called him one day to tell him about BVMI. Intrigued, he decided to schedule a meeting