Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 3, 2020

By Andrea Nagel The year was 1974 . At that time the large regional medical center now known as Kootenai Health was then just a small local hospital, Kootenai Memorial Hospital. This is also the year Carol Price joined the newly formed auxiliary—a team of volunteers serving their community hospital and supporting fundraising efforts. “It meant something to me that I could do something to help the nurses,” Carol said, sitting at her doily-covered dining room table. “I was there to help them so they could do what they needed to do for patients.” In her time with Kootenai, Carol has seen Kootenai undergo many changes. She saw the creation of Kootenai Medical Center in 1983, as well as the cancer center, imaging center, heart center and several recent expansions that make up the current facility. She has known three hospital CEOs and countless nurses, physicians and staff members throughout the years. “In the 46 years I’ve volunteered at Kootenai, I’ve learned so much about the hospital and its employees,” Carol said. “We are so fortunate to have Mr. Ness, as our current CEO, and all his staff. They are so important to our hospital and the community.” Carol’s dedication to her work at Kootenai goes beyond a willingness to help. She recruited her husband, Tom, to volunteer at the former cancer center, and he has now volunteered alongside his wife for 26 years. She served on the auxiliary board as president and vice president, among other leadership roles. Carol won awards through the Idaho Hospital Association for her exemplary work and leadership—the Learn more Please visit KH.org/volunteer or call (208) 625-4645 to speak to the manager of Volunteer Services. After 46 years of dedicated service, a longtime volunteer, Carol Price, retires The End of an Era Carol (center) with the Kootenai Medical Center Auxiliary Board, 1983 to 1984. For her years of service at Kootenai Health, Carol (center) received a custom plaque. Carol received the Idaho Brightest Star award from the Governor’s Commission for Service and Volunteerism in 2017. IHA Love award in 2000, and the IHA Brightest Star award in 2017. Trueblue “Over the past two-and-a-half years I’ve worked with Carol, she has always been ready to help in any way she can,” Renee Langue, Volunteer Services manager, said. “Carol really exemplifies the heart of a volunteer. She generously shared her time, special talents and gifts to serve her community through volunteering at Kootenai Health. I personally always enjoy visiting with Carol and learning from her wealth of information, experiences and wisdom. I am very grateful for the times we’ve shared.” With nearly 19,500 volunteer hours banked, Carol is officially hanging up her “Kootenai Blue” volunteer jacket. Carol’s impact and spirit for volunteering is a legacy that will be carried on into the future of the program. “Volunteering, to me, is a personal commitment,” Carol said. “For anyone who thinks they would like to do this, know that you are committing to support the organization you wish to join. I am so thankful to have been a small part of this wonderful hospital and health program.” KH . ORG 9