CALDWELL, Idaho – Caldwell, Idaho native, 19 year old JB Bermudez-Koch has been awarded the Frist Humanitarian Volunteer Award by HCA Healthcare. This is the first time a nominee from West Valley Medical Center has received the national award, which recognizes a volunteer who gives unselfishly in their service to patients.
- Thursday, April 25: West Valley Medical Center will host a program and reception to honor the award nominees and the finalist in the Kaley Auditorium at 3:00pm.
- Monday, May 6: Greenleaf Academy, the school JB attends, will also be honoring him at a school assembly at 2:30pm.
- Monday, May 20: JB and his family will be in Nashville, Tennessee on to accept his award at the national HCA awards luncheon.
JB’s Talents and Passion Touch Caldwell Community
Having visited our facility as a young child with a lip wound, JB was fascinated with the idea of helping people. As he grew older, JB decided to extend his knowledge in the medical field and entered the volunteer program at West Valley Medical Center. Following his volunteer orientation training, he excelled in several areas. First, he worked in the emergency room as a greeter. In addition to being bi-lingual and helping patients who speak only Spanish, JB helped patients fill out forms and kept them calm during a stressful situation.
Next, JB moved to medical records. When JB wasn’t needed in medical records, he spent time serving “first class services” to patients. His mobile cart was loaded with everything from food to coloring books. He loved interacting with patients while gaining what he calls “future bedside manner experience”.
And finally, two years ago JB decided to pursue a new avenue of volunteering with his four- legged friend Gelsey, an Australian Shepherd. The process to train a certified therapy dog is lengthy. JB read five therapy dog training books during his lunch at his summer job, and kept a detailed journal of his training. Following a few months of intense training, JB and Gelsey passed the many tests to be approved by Therapy Dogs Incorporated. He now spends his time visiting patients with Gelsey. He loves the attention and happiness he receives from hospital guests.
In addition to his volunteering duties at West Valley, JB has jumped in feet first to assist various organizations in our community. Just a few of his special projects include:
- Canned Food Drive: JB called himself the “Can Man” launching a creative advertising campaign to promote the drive at his school. He created skits and a “can-can” dance and song for school assemblies, posted signs, and recruited sports teams to participate. The result was 850 cans for a local non-profit organization called Love, Inc.
- Quilt Drive: JB solicited big box stores to obtain material for volunteers to make blankets and quilts for hospital patients to offer extra comfort during their stay. He even recruited his 87-year old grandmother to participate!
- Medical Supply Coordinator: JB served as a volunteer at Missionary Aviation Fellowship to assist them in various tasks as they prepared to deliver medical supplies overseas to areas of need.
- Heart Disease Awareness Week: JB researched heart disease facts and information to promote healthy lifestyles to students. He created a physical challenge for the entire high school to participate in. In addition to the educational factor, the school raised money that week for a local heart disease non-profit organization.
JB’s spirit of service enriches West Valley Medical Center, the Caldwell community and the many lives he touches through his many activities. It’s the kind of impact the Frist Humanitarian Award is all about.
Other notable winners of the Frist Award at the local level include Samuel Summers, MD and Jennifer Kettle, RN.
About the National Frist Humanitarian Award
The Frist Humanitarian Award was created in 1971 to honor outstanding individuals for their humanitarian and volunteer activities. Named in honor of Dr. Thomas F. Frist, Sr. (1910 – 1998), a founder of HCA, this award recognizes individuals who serve the community and those in need and whose daily dedication and care giving epitomize the highest standards of quality and personal commitment.
Three national awards are given annually. One recognizes an HCA employee who excels in their service to the community, the second recognizes a volunteer who gives unselfishly in their service to patients, and the third award recognizes an HCA physician who excels in their day-to-day physician responsibilities. Each facility within the HCA system selects three local recipients and submits them to the home office for consideration on a national level.