Decatur County Hospital Receives 2015 Governor’s Volunteer Award

Tara Spidle, Chief Finance Officer, accepts the 2015 Governor’s Award from Gov. Branstad on behalf of Decatur County Hospital.

Decatur County Hospital received a 2015 Governor’s Volunteer Award from Governor Terry E. Branstad during a special recognition ceremony held June 8 in Pleasant Hill. Decatur County Hospital CFO Tara Spidle received the award on behalf of DCH.

Decatur County Hospital was honored with a 10 Year Length of Service Volunteer Award by Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP). Decatur County Hospital sponsors a volunteer program to provide free, confidential services to patients to help them make informed decisions about Medicare and other health coverage.

“Iowa is recognized as a national leader in volunteerism and service because of the steadfast devotion of our volunteers,” stated Governor Terry E. Branstad.  “I am pleased to have an opportunity to personally thank this year’s Governor’s Volunteer Award recipients for contributing their priceless time and talent in ways that make an enormous difference in our state.”

“The people selected for these awards have gone well above and beyond what’s expected in their quest to help others,” said Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds.  “Their hard work and dedication have encouraged other citizens to become more engaged, which makes stronger communities.”

The Governor’s Volunteer Awards (GVA) program was created in 1982, with inaugural awards presented in 1983.  What began as a small program for state government agencies, has expanded over the years and now provides all Iowa nonprofit, charitable, and government organizations with an easy way to honor their volunteers with a prestigious state-level award.  Hundreds of volunteers are recognized each year with awards in one of four categories: Individual, Group, Length of Service or Disaster Volunteer.

Recipients of the Governor’s Volunteer Award do not necessarily need to live in Iowa, but their service must have benefited Iowans or an Iowa organization.  Award criteria include an individual or group who has:

• demonstrated exceptional commitment to volunteerism by helping with a special project or ongoing activities
• demonstrated exemplary leadership, creativity, cooperation and hard work in their service to others
• made an outstanding contribution to state or community through volunteer service

The Governor’s Volunteer Award program is coordinated by the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service and the Governor’s Office