Colleen Barnes
May 2024
Colleen
Barnes
,
BSN, RN
Nursing Supervision
Aultman Alliance Community Hospital
Alliance
,
OH
United States

 

 

 

Through significant communication with the doctor, AACH Materials Management, and others, the outdated medical supplies were donated to the organization with the goal of being sent to Guatemala to a faith-based volunteer hospital, Hospital Shalom.
In Colleen’s endeavor to find a recipient of outdated medical supplies, she has exemplified the values of the Aultman Health Foundation of teamwork, cost effective management of resources and trust, integrity, and compassion in all relationships. The values are woven through Colleen’s hope to become a reality.

The grand effort began by happenstance. Colleen saw an employee of materials management with a cart of medical supplies. She asked what was going to happen to the outdated medical supplies. She was told they would be added to the multiple pallets at the AACH warehouse and probably would be incinerated or taken to a landfill. This is when Colleen went into action.

Colleen began reaching out to others to inquire if anyone would need outdated medical supplies. Colleen worked diligently with a doctor to get the supplies to his brother in Syria to be utilized; however, a few roadblocks came up and stopped this effort. Colleen went on leave but her effort for success did not stop.

While visiting her doctor, she learned he was involved with a volunteer organization called Convoy of Hope. Through significant communication with the doctor, AACH Materials Management, and others, the outdated medical supplies were donated to the organization with the goal of being sent to Guatemala to a faith-based volunteer hospital, Hospital Shalom.

Colleen was not deterred; she persevered for the benefit of many.