Volunteer Recognized as American Red Cross Hero

Gene Rudow, OSF St. Joseph Medical Center volunteer, was selected by the American Red Cross to receive its "Saluting Our Heroes Award" in the volunteer category. Gene was formally recognized on November 12, 2009 at the Red Cross's Heroes Breakfast.

Gene's nomination stated, "Gene has been an outstanding and dedicated medical center volunteer since 1989, donating more than 10,000 hours of volunteer service. In his 20 years as a volunteer, Gene has personally aided hundreds of patients and their families. He has calmed children before a surgery, helped train other volunteers, delivered boxes of donated clothes and toys to a local charity at Christmas, braved blizzards to get to the hospital and always made patients feel special."

"Gene is always willing to do whatever needs to be done, such as walking patients through the parking lot to find their car, or bringing their car to them. At age 84, Gene is tireless in his service and has an energy about him that would wear out a much younger person. He has been a pioneer in several areas of the hospital, initially in the SurgiCenter, where he developed a service to families waiting for their loved ones. Gene is also a founding member of the Volunteer Advisory Committee, helping to expand, train and recognize the volunteer force at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center."

"Gene has made our hospital safer and more patient-friendly by alerting staff to various safety needs, whether it be the need for automatic doors for people with disabilities, sidewalk repairs or the placement of hallway bubble mirrors to avoid collisions. Gene was awarded the medical center's inaugural Volunteer of the Year award in 2006. He is respected and loved by patients, staff and volunteers alike - he is our hero!"

Congratulations Gene and thank you for your service!