Daily Reporter Staff Reports
NEW PALESTINE — Local resident, Kathleen Roberts, recently received the Regional Chapter Accredited Visitor Excellence Award for her outstanding work as a volunteer visitor for Mended Hearts Chapter 383.
Mended Hearts is the largest cardiovascular peer-to-peer support network in the world; it is physician endorsed and assists patients and caregivers from diagnoses through the journey of recovery.
Kathleen is a member of Mended Hearts Chapter 383 support group in Indianapolis and regularly provides visitor support to patients at the Community Heart and Vascular Hospital. Since completing her hospital volunteer training, Kathleen has visited more than 250 patients.
While visiting a patient who has recently had a cardiac episode, Kathleen provides a listening ear at a very challenging time to both the patient hospitalized with a cardiac issue, and the family. As a trained visitor volunteer, she shares her experiences in her own recovery from a cardiac experience and provides support for ‘what happens next’ to live a fuller, healthier life. Kathleen was recognized for this award because of her dedication to the program and her ability to connect with patients through skillful communication with genuine warmth.
At each visit, Kathleen also provides patients information from Mended Hearts and encourages them to participate in the Mended Hearts monthly support group meetings. To learn more about Mended Hearts go to mendedhearts.org or call 1-888-HEART99.
