Congratulations to our 2026 Volunteer Award Winners! Your passion, empathy and devotion are reasons why this program thrives.

College Student Award

Max Behfar

The College Student Award is presented in recognition of outstanding service to Friends of Strong while enrolled as a full-time college student. This year’s recipient is Max Behfar, a shining example of the value of giving back to one’s community at any age. 

Max started volunteering over a year ago after a counselor suggested he spend time in a clinical setting to see if he wanted to aim for a medical career. Though he is now focused on a career in research, he stayed on as a volunteer because of the many connections he had made. He said, “Everyone at Sawgrass was kind, welcoming, and willing to answer questions I had about Gastroenterology. I’ve also had many amazing conversations with patients, interpreters, and many others passing through that I may never have met otherwise.”

Dove Award

John Dexter

The Dove Award recognizes volunteers who have completed at least three years of courteous, respectful service and who often ‘go the extra mile’ for our patients, families, and staff. This year’s recipient is John Dexter. John is the first graduate dad that has volunteered in the NICU and has been a NICU volunteer for the parent mentor program and buddy program for over three years. He loves sharing his son Ivan’s story with newer NICU parents, helping to alleviate fears about the entire NICU experience, and making sure they know they are fully supported. Seeing long-term NICU babies grow and begin to thrive during their stay is an absolute joy.

Tricia White nominated John, saying that he “Consistently goes above and beyond, e.g. if someone has canceled at the last minute for a family night, John will often come in and hold the dinner for us. If a parent is struggling, he will not hesitate to be matched up to support them. His son's story is one that parents can relate to, with a 135 stay in the NICU. Parents look at him and see that he survived it, and that things might just be ok for them too. John is not just a volunteer; he is a vital part of our success.”

Elizabeth Crozier Award

Tricia White

Tricia White is this year’s recipient of the Elizabeth Crozier Award, presented in recognition of outstanding, long-term service to Friends of Strong and Strong Memorial Hospital. Her proudest achievement is starting and developing the NICU mentor program in 2010, which pairs experienced NICU families with new ones to give bedside emotional support, information on NICU parent resources, and general support. Tricia joined the unit once a week and oversaw the NICU family nights each month and also helped to develop the virtual NICU Buddy Program in 2021. In 2023, she was hired part-time in the NICU as the Family Advisor.

Tricia said she is honored to “Be there for families as an emotional support and sharing in their struggles. Listening to their story and sharing hers. Being in the NICU is hard, but they don’t have to be alone.”

Evening/Weekend Award

Yidam Park

The Evening/Weekend Award recognizes a volunteer(s) who devotes one or more evening/weekend days outside of business hours to volunteering with Friends of Strong. This year we recognize Yidam Park, who consistently volunteers every Saturday. Yidam started volunteering the summer before her first semester of college to get more involved in the Rochester community. She began in Pediatrics entertaining bored and nervous kids but recently transitioned to a patient visitor role in acute care for the elderly, where she spends time having thoughtful conversations with elderly patients.

Pauline Smith from Pediatrics said that “Yidam’s dedication, warmth, and joyful presence made Saturdays something the children genuinely looked forward to.”

Frances Brownell Supervisor Award 

Meredith Carusone

The Frances Brownell Volunteer Supervisor Award this year recognizes the exceptional leadership skills of Meredith Carusone. Her excellent rapport with the Strong West community fosters a better, more meaningful and rewarding experience for volunteers, patients and families. Meredith works in the Administration office at Strong West and said one of the most rewarding aspects of her role is serving as the Volunteer Supervisor. 

Jill Paladino, who nominated Meredith, said that “From her daily individual greetings to the beautifully executed annual breakfast, she has fostered an environment where our volunteers feel seen and valued. The feedback from the volunteers is unanimous: they feel supported and appreciated. Meredith hasn't just maintained the program; she has allowed it to thrive.” 

Group Award

Strong P.E.T.S Program

This year’s Group Award goes to the Strong P.E.T.S. (Pets Engaged in Therapeutic Socialization) program. PETS Program Supervisor Ann Lacey and her Sheltie, Rickey (a Shetland Sheepdog) did their first visit back on May 17, 2000, to the Adolescent and Children’s Units. Since then, the program has continued to grow, adding over 18 volunteer handlers with a total of 27 dogs among them. 

Many studies have proven the positive effect pets have on our lives and health, including stress reduction, lowering blood pressure, and bringing a sense of peace. Ann Lacey said that the dogs always, “Provide comfort and emotional support to the patients, families, and staff while creating a home-like feel that reminds them of their own pets. For those without pets, it provides them with a new outlet to feel comfort and relaxation”. 

Thank you so much to our Strong PETS and their handlers, making the day-to-day grind for patients, staff, and families just a touch easier that it would be without those furry little paws!

Hettie Shumway Award

Bill Olsen

The Hettie Shumway Role Model Award is given to a volunteer who provides significant and unfailing service, is an effective role model for other volunteers and demonstrates loyalty to the hospital. This year’s recipient is Bill Olsen. His compassion, kindness and steadfast loyalty to our patients and staff illustrate the essence of exceptional volunteering. 

Bill has served at Strong for almost 23 years, spending the last 15 as a volunteer in the main lobby and the Emergency Department. One Guest Services Ambassador spoke highly of Bill, saying that “…he is like my work dad, mentor, leader, and the list goes on and on. He tries to help every single person that he encounters in the hospital, no matter what they look like or what they ask him for, and I admire him for that.”

Louise Criticos Award

Karen Benavidez

The recipient of the Louise Criticos Award is Karen Benavidez. This honor acknowledges a Friends of Strong volunteer that meets the highest and most consistent level of service to accomplish Strong Hospital’s goal of Patient- and Family-Centered Care. Karen volunteers in the main lobby, working alongside staff and other volunteers to guide and escort patients and their families throughout the hospital.

When fellow volunteer Doug Most nominated Karen, he described, “What sets her apart is her ability to notice when help is needed even when it isn't immediately apparent. She spots the young mother still in the parking garage, wrestling with a stroller and two children, and steps in to assist…. Karen has an intuitive sense of when and how to help, always delivering support with genuine kindness, care, and compassion.”

Congratulations again to each of our 2026 winners! 

Our volunteers are the cornerstone of this incredible program, helping to bring kindness, compassion, and joy to our patients, families, and staff every single day.