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Congratulations to Marian Anderson, Volunteer of The Month

person with short, white hair wearing glasses and a grey shirt with the American flag, holding a coffee pot
By Don Checots, Minneapolis VA Volunteer, Air Force Veteran

Marian Anderson, a devoted volunteer has been making a significant impact on the lives of patients at the Minneapolis VA Hematology/Oncology Clinic.

With an impressive total of 749 volunteer hours over seven years of service, her commitment and dedication are obvious.

Marian brings her positive and uplifting attitude to her work Thursday mornings. Her role is facilitating patient flow, rooming patients and preparing rooms, and ensuring that patients receive the care they need.

A welcoming presence, Marian connects with patients on a personal level, making them feel comfortable and supported throughout their visit. She is always ready with a warm blanket, a beverage, a snack, or a listening ear - small acts of kindness that can make a big difference in the lives of patients who are facing challenging times.

Marian's connection to healthcare runs deep, her father was a small-town general practitioner and she would accompany him on his hospital rounds.  This experience led Marian to a nursing career. Her connection to the military community developed because her husband served in the Army and received oncology care here at the Minneapolis VA. Marian decided to volunteer because of the kindness and care she received from the oncology employees during her husband's treatments.

A true team player, Marian has established an easy rapport with clinic staff and always takes the initiative to restock supplies, replenish coffee and snacks for Veterans and assist with keeping the ward orderly. Her leadership and orientations of new volunteers help ensure a consistent level of care and adherence to the clinic's I CARE values.

Marian's unwavering dedication to serving Veterans and her passion for making a difference in the lives of others make her a treasured volunteer and an inspiration to all who have the pleasure of working alongside her.