Three Mather junior volunteers will each receive $1,000 awards for their college studies from the hospital’s Auxiliary Volunteers. The annual awards are based on academic achievement and commitment to the hospital and usually are presented at the Volunteer Appreciation Party, which was canceled this year due to the pandemic.
The college award recipients are:
Julianna Caputo
Julianna Caputo is a senior at Mount Sinai High School who has been accepted to the nursing program at Molloy College in Rockville Centre. She started volunteering at Mather in February 2018 and has given more than 428 hours of service to the hospital. Juliana also is involved in her school’s music department and is a member of Mather’s Exploring Post #1929.
“Becoming a junior volunteer at Mather Hospital has been an impactful experience,” she said. “Being in the hospital atmosphere made me realize my passion for helping those who need care and support. It allowed me to discover where I see myself in the future.”
Daniela Galvez-Cepeda
Daniela Galvez-Cepeda is a Comsewogue High School senior and her graduating class valedictorian. This fall Daniela will attend Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts to study physics and neuroscience. A junior volunteer since June 2017, she has contributed 317 hours of volunteer service.
“Volunteering at Mather Hospital is one of my favorite extracurricular activities. At the front desk and nurses’ station, I have talked to administrators, medical staff, patients and their families,” she said. “I have answered their questions in English and Spanish, moved equipment from Central Supply to different units, and accomplished team goals. Volunteering not only has taught me how to conduct myself in a business-like setting, but it has also shown me that work can be gratifying.”
Timothy Hirdt
Timothy Hirdt will graduate from Miller Place High School this June with high honor roll and as an AP scholar. He is member of both the National and Foreign Language Honor Societies and captain of his basketball and soccer teams. Timothy will attend St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue where he will study biology in preparation of his goal to attend medical school. He would someday like to specialize in gerontology. Timothy began volunteering at Mather in June 2017 and has given 300 hours of service. He also is a member of Mather’s Exploring Troop #1929.
“Every time I came to volunteer, I saw how hard people work to make the hospital run so efficiently,” he said. “From my experience in Mather’s Explorer’s Program I was exposed to every aspect of the hospital from the doctors and nurses to the lab and administrative workers. This gave me a deep appreciation for everyone who works in the hospital.”