Sarkissian Honored as MedicAlert's Volunteer of the Year

By Kimberly Horg
The Turlock Journal
April 21, 2004

Rosalin Sarkissian, a volunteer with MedicAlert for 23 years, was named the organization’s Volunteer of the Year Tuesday.

MedicAlert held its annual Volunteer Award Luncheon for 2003 Tuesday at Hilmar Cheese Company. The event coincided with National Volunteer Week.

“Rosalin Sarkissian is a dedicated volunteer and it is with great pleasure that I name her Medic Alert Volunteer of the Year,” MedicAlert President and CEO Paul Kortschak said. "It is always important to recognize our volunteers. They spend time out of their day to help in saving lives. Volunteers are a special part of MedicAlert."

Sarkissian moved to Turlock almost 30 years ago froth Iran . She is an active member of the Assyrian Cultural Club BET- NAHRAIN, which runs a television game show for which she is responsible for writing the questions.

"I started volunteering at MedicAlert in 1981. I am very happy and honored to be the Volunteer of the Year," Sarkissian said.

MedicAlert also honored 35 other volunteers, who gave a total of 3,826 hours of their time to the foundation last year. Included in that number are three volunteers who each contributed more than 300 hours of service last year. They are Marian Buscho, with 338.5 hours, Josephine Marco, with 347.75 hours, and Josephine House, with 378.5 hours.

Each volunteer received a certificate acknowledging their service, while Sarkissian was given a bouquet of flowers.

MedicAlert's volunteers help with administrative tasks at the Turlock national headquarters and give their support to MedicAlert at area trade shows. The MedicAlert Board of Directors are all volunteers who hold senior positions with different nationwide corporations. The foundation has nine international affiliate officers which is partially staffed by volunteers, also.

"We have been holding a luncheon for the volunteers for at least 15 years. The volunteers give so many hours to MedicAlert so this is a way of showing our appreciation," said Harbinder Maan, corporate affairs associate.

Volunteers have always played an important role in MedicAlert since its beginning in 1956. The founders, Dr. Marion Collins and his wife, Chrissie, started the foundation out of their home in Turlock after their daughter became ill from receiving the wrong medication and then discovered the need for the bracelets by many others.

"The Collins opened their homes to help people," said Long Doan, vice president of operations. "MedicAlert has a rich history of volunteers and they have had a major impact on the company. This is a very important event for us, I am touched and proud to be here."

Lorraine Klug, executive assistant at MedicAlert, said 70 percent of the volunteers are seniors and the other 30 percent are disabled adults who attend Continuum College down the street from MedicAlert.

National Volunteer Week started in 1974 by President Richard Nixon. He signed an executive order establishing the week as an annual celebration for volunteers and every president since that time has signed a proclamation promoting this week.

It is a time to recognize the efforts of volunteers at the local, state and national levels.

MedicAlert is a 24 hour Emergency Response service that gives emergency responders medical information about their members so that they get faster and safer treatment when an emergency occurs.

For more information call 1 800-432-5378.