AdventHealth DeLand Recognizes Volunteer with the Marguerite Nerge Heart Award

AdventHealth DeLand volunteer Richard Gallagher has received the Marguerite Nerge Heart Award.

Gallagher has volunteered at AdventHealth DeLand for two years and serves as a messenger.

“We are so blessed to have Rich on our team,” said Shawn Pope, AdventHealth DeLand volunteer coordinator. “He makes everyone feel so special and cared for. Even his co-volunteers cannot say enough about his cheerful and kind attitude.”

“Rich has truly been an inspiration for others and I always hear great comments from them about him,” Pope continued. “He is a true asset to AdventHealth DeLand volunteer department and extremely special.”

Named in memory of Marguerite Nerge, a dedicated AdventHealth DeLand auxilian who passed away in 2016, the Heart Award recognizes hospital volunteers each month that go above and beyond in their service.

Nerge moved to DeLand in 1979 and began volunteering at the hospital in 1982, the same year Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” was released and the Epcot theme park at Walt Disney World opened to the public. Thirty years later, Nerge was still volunteering at the hospital, even celebrating her 90^th birthday by greeting patients and visitors at the welcome desk as she did each week.

“Marguerite was a wonderful person and a true inspiration to us all. I feel blessed to have known her,” Pope said. “I know her giving spirit will go on and her memory will be honored through this award.”

About AdventHealth DeLand

AdventHealth DeLand has 164-beds and is one of the six hospitals in Flagler, Lake and Volusia counties that composes the AdventHealth Central Florida Division - North Region. Formerly known as Florida Hospital DeLand, the organization’s parent company changed the name of all wholly-owned entities to AdventHealth on Jan. 2, 2019. Based in Altamonte Springs, AdventHealth is a connected system of care. With more than 80,000 team members, AdventHealth is one of the nation’s largest faith-based health care systems with nearly 50 hospitals and hundreds of care sites in nearly a dozen states. With the mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ, AdventHealth DeLand provides whole person care to heal the body, mind and spirit. For more information about AdventHealth DeLand, visit http://AdventHealthDeLand.com.

Photo Caption:

DeLand Volunteer of the Month_Richard Gallagher (1): AdventHealth DeLand volunteer Richard Gallagher has received the Marguerite Nerge Heart Award. Pictured from left to right: Laura Armendariz, AdventHealth DeLand director of guest relations; Gallagher; Shawn Pope, AdventHealth DeLand volunteer coordinator; and Sam Aguero, AdventHealth DeLand chief operating officer.