VIM Berkshires is a volunteer-driven organization. Our dedicated volunteers provide community outreach, writing and other communications services, event planning, fundraising, translation, patient transportation and patient relations. Their generous donation of time and expertise are invaluable.
For a complete listing of all 2018 administrative volunteers, please click here.
Jed is retired from his position as an administrator for the City of Boston, overseeing the development of affordable housing. Wanting to help immigrant workers receive health care, Jed began volunteering for VIM as a volunteer driver in March of 2018. “So far, I have enjoyed my interactions with patients, often in spite of language barriers.”
Tricia’s background is in public relations, and she enjoys using her experience to, as she puts it, “… help VIM gain the recognition it deserves for delivering caring health services to those in need. Health insurance is such a quality of life issue.”
With a background in Event Planning, Hildi works on fundraising projects for VIM, especially the Gala Committee. “It’s very satisfying to see and hear the positive results of the hard work of the volunteers and staff — to know that VIM makes such a difference in so many lives. Without VIM, many people in the area would be without healthcare.”
Dr. Davenport is a retired family physician. He practiced with the National Health Service Corp in Hamilton, NY from 1979-1981, following residency at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, FL. He then practiced in Valatie, NY from 1981-2010. From 2010 until his retirement at the end of 2014, he was a PCP with Berkshire Faculty Services, associated with Berkshire Medical Center.
In addition to volunteering at VIM Berkshires he serves as VIM’s part-time medical director. He also continues to volunteer as a preceptor for the Berkshire Medical Center internal medicine residency out-patient clinic. About his work at VIM, he notes, “I find that volunteering at VIM has been extremely fulfilling, as it has allowed me to continue utilizing the nearly 40 years of knowledge and skills that I acquired over the years to a group of individuals who are in need of care and appreciative of the services VIM provides for them.”
Dr. Diamond is a retired academic rheumatologist who has published over 100 articles. Formerly the Chair of Medicine at both Long Island Jewish Medical Center and the Western Pennsylvania Hospital, and past Professor of Medicine at several institutions, he currently teaches art and observation courses for OLLI in the Berkshires. Besides his volunteer work at VIM, he is actively involved at the Clark.
Before her retirement, Gail taught both children and adults. At VIM, she is a volunteer driver. “When friends ask me what I love so much about volunteering for VIM, I say, “It’s the people. It’s the hard-working, appreciative immigrants I am privileged to get to know and drive to their medical appointments. It’s the fellow volunteers who freely donate their professional skills to keep the place going. And it’s the generous medical volunteers, from all over Berkshire County, who exemplify the Hippocratic Oath.”
A volunteer since VIM’s founding in 2004, Catherine has been active in many roles during her tenure at VIM. Retired from her position as the Artistic Associate of StageWest in Springfield, Mass., she now uses her creative and organizational talents on our Communications Committee. “VIM has such an impact on our community, changing and bettering the lives of so many. Our very small staff and our volunteers are committed, dedicated, and incredibly efficient people.”
As a bilingual teacher of Spanish and English as a Second Language, Christine is very effective as an interpreter at VIM. When she began volunteering at VIM in 2014, she said she would try to come twice a month. “I have come in weekly ever since!” she says. About VIM, Christine comments, “I especially value the acceptance and openness of the clinic, the variety of services to meet clients’ needs, and the clients themselves, who are so filled with gratitude that VIM is there for them.”
Born in Bolivia to English and Austrian parents, Kenneth also lived in Peru and South Africa before moving to the USA, where he has lived for over 54 years. Bilingual all his life, Kenneth worked for international companies primarily in agriculture. After his retirement to the Berkshires in 2003, Kenneth read about the need for interpreters at VIM and began volunteering in May, 2007, first at reception but eventually as Coordinator for the optometry clinic, scheduling appointments, charting, calling patients with reminders, besides interpreting for Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking patients. Kenneth sums it up in these words: “My earlier career helped produce food. My work at VIM helps those in need of health care.”
Genis arrived in NYC from Puerto Rico when she was 9 years old. A retired educator, she has held positions ranging from elementary school teacher, to elementary school principal, to Director of the Principals’ Institute at Bank Street College. Since 2015, Genis has worked with mental health clinicians at VIM as an interpreter. “Interpreting in mental health allows you to get to know the clients in an intimate way,” Genis says. “As you do the work, you are also struck by the awesome respect VIM therapists have for their patients. The experience is socially enriching and intellectually stimulating.”
Jeani was born and raised in Great Barrington. She volunteered as a Patient Escort at Fairview Hospital for 15 years. “When I left Fairview, I was looking for another position working with patients. VIM seemed like the perfect fit…and it is! I really enjoy interacting with patients and brightening their day,” Jeani comments. Volunteering at VIM since 2011, she works as a receptionist.
Having studied architecture, Marc’s orientation is toward the arts, and he admits he has been fortunate to be able to make his living doing what he loves: drawing and illustration. Marc finds time for yoga, and also for volunteer work for VIM. He started in 2017 on the Communications Committee, and then as a driver. “I find driving patients to and from appointments immensely rewarding. It gives me a chance to meet people outside my usual circle and has inspired me to learn to speak Spanish. The Spanish speakers I’ve met are very patient with my poor attempts to communicate!”
As an ordained minister and a psychiatric/mental health nurse, Marilyn finds her work experience very helpful in her volunteer work at VIM. Having assisted patients in reception since 2015, Marilyn notes, “I value that patients are cared for in such gentle and respectful ways.”
Molly has volunteered at VIM since 2009, working at the reception desk and assisting in fundraising activities such as the yearly coupon book and the summer Gala. “Everyone should have medical care, even if they can’t afford it,” Molly says. “The Berkshires’ economy is dependent on many of our clients working in local businesses. VIM supports those who would fall through the cracks, keeping them healthy, working and independent.”
With a background in business and a can-do attitude to rival Rosie the Riveter’s, Marguerite Sherman worked in many different capacities and industries over the years. She also has a long history of volunteerism, having started at age 12 at a hospital. Now retired, she enjoys the satisfaction and sense of purpose she gets from being a volunteer receptionist at VIM. “It’s wonderful to think that you may have made a different in someone’s life,” says Marguerite, who has volunteered at VIM since 2009.
After a twelve-year career as a family therapist and then as founder and manager of a nanny agency where she screened and placed nannies for 26 years, Carol’s retirement gave her more time to spend with her grandchildren, to play golf and to participate in VIM. Carol has been on VIM’s Gala Committee since 2013 and co-chaired the event with Patricia Hubbard in 2017 and 2018. “I volunteered because I was so impressed with the work that VIM does for the community,” Carol says.
Donald Steven is a classical composer whose works have been performed by major artists in venues and festivals around the world. He has held fellowships and grants from the Canada Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, and Chamber Music America and taught composition at McGill University before taking up a number of senior leadership positions at SUNY, Roosevelt University, The Citadel, and Rider University. He has served on renowned boards and juries, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Thayer Fellowship and the Shanghai International Radio Festival.
Susan has always been drawn to volunteering, especially in the medical field. Raised in the Dominican Republic and Philippine Islands, she has a real appreciation for cultural diversity. Susan taught Spanish at Lee High School throughout her career and wanted an outlet for her knowledge of Spanish. “I see VIM as a community unto itself, with most patients forming warm relationships with staff, and each and every provider helping to create a very welcoming atmosphere,” Susan remarks.
Michelle is a human resources professional, employed at a large healthcare company, who lives in Sheffield, MA in summer and in south Florida in the winter. In her spare time, she plays golf, makes handmade jewelry, and now, volunteers for VIM. She hopes to contribute to VIM as part of the gala committee. Michelle’s passion for volunteerism began years ago when she provided respite support for caregivers of hospice patients, as well as companionship to the patients themselves. And as a former board vice-president of a non-profit, she learned quickly how important fundraising is in carrying out the mission. “I was so inspired by the stories I heard at the 2017 VIM Gala that I knew before the event was over that I wanted to help support the mission. Through volunteerism, each and every one of us can truly make a difference in so many lives.”
Before retiring in 2008, Ruth worked for over 40 years for organizations including International Planned Parenthood Federation, the National Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, the National Neurofibromatosis Foundation, and the Foundation for AIDS Research. Since 2008, Ruth has volunteered at VIM – in reception, as a Spanish (and occasionally French) interpreter, and on the Coupon Book and Gala Fundraising Committees. Ruth notes, “I greatly appreciate the effort patients make to improve their health and that of their families, sometimes despite seemingly impossible problems.”
After growing up in Brooklyn and working for the NYCDDE, Cheryl moved to the Berkshires. Here, she worked as a junior high Special Ed teacher for many years, then as Health Coordinator. At a friend’s suggestion, she began volunteering in reception for VIM in 2015. “VIM has been an amazing experience: the people I have met, the thankfulness and generosity of the clients,” Cheryl says, noting that she has gained a better understanding of our community’s needs.
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