The Heart of Minnesota Award was established in 1993 to honor a facility administrator who demonstrates a “cooperative, supportive, enthusiastic and well-defined relationship with the auxiliary/volunteer group.”

The 2009 Administrator award was presented to Benjamin Koppelman from St. Joseph’s Area Health Services, Park Rapids. Pictured with Ben is Auxiliary President Joyce Cowman and Sharon Mortrud, Past President of HCAM.

In 2002 a second Heart of Minnesota Award was established to recognize an outstanding Volunteer Director/Coordinator. This award was developed to recognize supportive, enthusiastic leadership, and for someone who works to provide volunteer services to enhance the lives of patients and residents. The 2009 Volunteer Director award was presented to Noreen Seurer, Queen of Peace Hospital, New Prague (pictured on the right). The award was presented in September at the HCAM Annual Meeting/Conference at Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center, Alexandria. Pictured with Noreen is Darlene Mair, HCAM Heart of MN Chair.

In 2009, the HCAM membership voted to establish an award to honor a Volunteer of the Year. This award honors a volunteer who demonstrates a cooperative, supportive, enthusiastic and well-defined relationship with his/her auxiliary/volunteer group, who goes “above and beyond” to enhance the lives of the patients and residents. This award will also be presented at the HCAM annual meeting in September.

Nominees for each of these awards are solicited in April, and are judged by a panel of three judges chosen from member auxiliaries across the state. Each nomination is given a number so the judges do not know the names of the nominees. The results are tabulated, and the winners are determined.

The 2010 HCAM Annual Meeting and Conference will be September 15-17, 2010 at the Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center, Alexandria, Minnesota.