Cy-Fair-area resident wins volunteer honor at Memorial Hermann

"Volunteer of the Year" Carmen Genty of the Cy-Fair area was recently recognized for her generous community contributions by Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center.

Memorial Hermann recently honored Carmen Genty of Cypress for her exemplary volunteer work, naming her "2011 Volunteer of the Year."

The value of giving the gift of time has long been recognized at the Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center Campus. Each year, Memorial Hermann shows appreciation to its outstanding volunteers. The following are highlights from the medical center's press release highlighting Genty's volunteerism:

A gift doesn't have to stop giving when it reaches the hands of the first receiver, according to Genty. As part of Genty's commitment to making a positive difference in someone else's life in their time of need, Genty ensures that the acts of kindness that happen so frequently at this hospital are felt by everyone she encounters.

"I feel extremely honored to have received this award," said Genty. "I love working with people and helping them. It has changed my life completely and I believe that because of this experience and the people I've met, I am a better person."

Genty has touched the hearts of patients and their families and her solid commitment and positive attitude continues to inspire those around her.

Her commitment doesn't end there. Genty also developed the Awty International School volunteer program, which gives high school students an opportunity to volunteer with Child Life at Memorial Hermann-TMC. Her efforts have resulted in 40 new volunteers for the Memorial Hermann-TMC Campus.

Genty can be seen dedicating her time in several different locations doing a wide range of notable tasks. She spends a majority of time providing assistance to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where she reads, plays and comforts infants with soothing techniques, which helps them to achieve developmental milestones. She can also be found in the Heart & Vascular Institute (HVI), where she lends a hand to the waiting area desks and patients. Since Genty is bi-lingual, she is able to help ensure that the needs of Spanish-speaking patients and their family members are met.

"Without volunteers like Carmen Genty, there would be many fewer babies rocking, toddlers playing, children laughing, teens breathing that sigh that comes from being apart from their family  but not too far apart," said Richard Weir, Director of Facility Operations for Child Life.

"There would be many fewer toys cleaned and ready to be used by the next child who checks in, there would be fewer crayons bagged to be given out, fewer books in waiting rooms for bored children and parents to read, fewer video game systems being played by patients who can't leave their rooms, and fewer donated blankets, pillows and stuffed animals gracing the beds of our infants and children. Without our volunteers we would be so much less of what we are and the children and families who we are charged to care for would be missing so much of what we are here to provide at Memorial Hermann Hospital."

Children's Memorial Hermann - Child Life Team and Memorial Hermann TMC - Volunteer Services are responsible for nominating remarkable people for Volunteer of the Year.

In order to be nominated for this award, an individual must demonstrate the following criteria: collaboration, innovation, accountability, compassion, competentence, respect, humility, integrity, a positive attitude, and committment to community services.