MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital continues to excel at recruiting, training and sustaining its share of dedicated volunteers. 

As National Volunteer Week (April 19-25) nears, Manager of Volunteer ServicesConnie Brightshared her pride and gratitude for the many hours volunteers spend across the hospital, post-acute care, and the Miles and St. Andrews campuses. 

“This past year, 130 volunteers spent more than 8,600 hours supporting our patients, residents and care team members,” Bright said. “From greeting people when they arrive at the hospital to sitting by the bedside and comforting patients, their efforts contribute to the caring and compassionate culture that is a constant at Mainehealth Lincoln Hospital.” 

One such volunteer is Tracy Verney. The Sheepscot resident has provided spiritual and emotional care to dying residents, patients, their families and staff for more than 25 years. 

“When I was 18years old working as a certified nurse assistant on the Medical/Surgical Unit at Miles Memorial Hospital, Dr. Frank Avantaggio said ‘You, come with me.’” 

Verney was asked to sit and hold the hand of a dying patient who was a friend of the doctor. 

“That really left a lasting impact,’’ Verney said. 

In 1999, Verney’s grandfather passed away at Cove’s Edge Skilled Nursing Care. “I was the last person to leave the room. At the doorway, I had this really warm feeling come over me, and I felt this was the time go into hospice.” 

After completing hospice training with what was then Miles Home Health & Hospice, Verney visited terminally ill patients in their homes for four years. She was recognized by the State of Maine as the Hospice Volunteer of the Year at a ceremony in the Blaine House. 

Her passion for elderly patients strengthened at Cove’s Edge, where she “fell in love with the entire community.” She joined the Spiritual Care Committee and later, the Lay Spiritual Visiting Program. 

In 2007, Verney and Bright recognized the need for a volunteer program to serve the residents and patients in their final stage of life at Cove’s Edge. Guided by a firm belief that no one should die alone unless they choose to, they created the Compassionate Companion Program.  

Over the years, the service has expanded to the hospital and the Gregory Wing at St. Andrews Village in Boothbay Harbor. 

“People who do this work, we all have the same heart. It’s all about compassion and mercy. We serve staff, family, the one dying and those who have cared for the patient,” Verney said.“When the staff loses someone who they’ve grown to love, they are grieving. We help everyone by providing tools to manage that grief.” 

Verney has no desire to step away from end-of-life support. “I love the people, and it is very fulfilling,’’ she said. “What sustains me when someone has passed is to honor them when I continue on to the next person. 

“All the people on this journey are my teachers. I know what the meaning of life is — and you find it at the bedside,” she said. 

Many rewarding volunteer opportunities are available at MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital facilities in Damariscotta and Boothbay Harbor. If you or someone you know would like to volunteer, please give Bright a call at (207) 563-4508.