Lake Superior Court Civil Division Judge Diane Kavadias Schneider is shown after recently swearing in the latest members of the Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults program initiated by Thomas Gryzbek, former president of Franciscan St. Margaret Health-Dyer and Hammond.
They are, from left, Michelle Amacker, Nancy Raisor, Brenda Tyler, Ruby Bailey, Rhonda Hull and Ricky Hull. The initiative, which is an innovative and collaborative effort between the health care and legal communities, has trained more than 150 community volunteers since 2004. VASIA safeguards health care, social services and legal protection needs of elderly patients in Lake County health care systems, nursing homes, or hospice facilities. Kavadias Schneider has assisted the program from its inception. Volunteers, who serve as officers of the court, are required to complete 40 hours of training, submit to a background check and participate in quarterly continuing education sessions, where topics are presented by professionals and are relevant to issues associated in the decision-making process and in case management. Volunteer minimum age requirement is 21. Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults has been named a finalist in the 2015 Hospital Charitable Services Awards presented by Jackson Healthcare.
The Hospital Charitable Service Awards program honors hospital-sponsored programs that set new standards for health and wellness in their communities through education, access and delivery. For more information on Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults, contact LaVonne Jarrett, program coordinator, at (219) 932-2300, ext. 37907; or email: Lavonne.Jarrett@franciscanalliance.org. Vanessa Nathan, program manager, can be reached at (219) 932-2300, ext. 33373; or email: Vanessa.Nathan@franciscanalliance.org.