Welcome to the Pennsylvania Society of Directors in Volunteer Services in Healthcare (PSDVS) Website.
We are excited to be sharing our rich culture and history of our state. Please explore and use this website for creative volunteer services.
PSDVS is divided geographically into three chapters:
Western, Central and Eastern (PA_chapter_map).
Pennsylvania, and Philadelphia in particular, can boast that it is the birthplace of our nation, and hospital volunteer management. Evelyn Burston, who coined the term “candystriper” hailed from Philadelphia as well as Nancy McBain, the volunteer director from Abington Memorial Hospital who was invited to sit on the AHA advisory panel in 1968 that developed ASDVS. Since its inception many Pennsylvania volunteer directors have assumed leadership and committee roles in ASDVS. In 1982 PSDVS developed an award to recognize outstanding achievement in volunteer management. Since then, the Evelyn Burston Award has been presented to numerous Pennsylvania volunteer directors who have continued to shape the direction of our profession through mentoring, education, and managing outstanding volunteer programs in the healthcare setting. The award presentation is made at the PSDVS annual meeting and conference each fall.
Prior to ASDVS, Pennsylvania joined with volunteer directors in New Jersey and New York to hold annual workshops to address issues specific to volunteer management in hospitals and give directors an opportunity to network. PSDVSH continues to be involved with regional meetings held bi-annually. At the local level, the chapters provide an invaluable resource for networking and the development of its members. Recognizing that quality chapter meetings improve attendance, last year the Board set aside scholarship money earmarked for speaker fees at the chapter level.
PSDVS operated as an affiliate of the Hospital Association of Pennsylvania until late in 2001 when HAP elected to sever ties with its affiliates. With a month to consider the options, PSDVS decided that the benefits of a state society were too valuable to dismiss, and began the process of incorporation. In true pioneer spirit, and guided by former president, Betty Anton, the Board restructured, developed bylaws, and processed the necessary legal documents for incorporation. While this change required our members to become more involved, it has provided an opportunity for members to move into leadership positions and grow professionally. In retrospect, this unanticipated challenge has become one of our greatest accomplishments. PSDSV today is more cohesive, and money saved in HAP administrative costs is now channeled into educational scholarships.
PSDVS is a vibrant organization that has proven itself to be the best tool available for the education and support of volunteer leaders in healthcare. In a healthcare environment fueled by competition, it’s a tribute to our profession that we can put those differences aside to share best practices, and expand our programs. We educate and mentor each other and improve the quality of healthcare through our volunteers.
