August 31, 2006

Genesis Befrienders Program Celebrates 40th Anniversary

DAVENPORT, Iowa – A patient recovering from heart surgery could use a friend. The patient needs a companion who will listen, whether the subject is health concerns, the patient’s beloved pet, or something as mundane as the weather.

For 40 years, Genesis Medical Center has provided skilled, trained listeners for patients who want to talk.  The volunteer listeners are called Befrienders and they are about to celebrate their 40th anniversary.

The Befrienders program, started by Chaplain Marlin Whitmer in 1966, has provided the basis of similar programs throughout the country.

Past and present Befrienders will be recognized at a reunion event on Sept. 26.  The Befrienders reception will be held from 4-6 p.m. in the lower level of the Genesis Heart Institute, 1236 East Rusholme St., Davenport.  All past and present Befrienders are being invited to attend.

Whitmer, now retired, said the Befrienders program began at a time when doctors held tight control over access to patients.

“At the time, hospitals volunteers were not supposed to talk to patients except if they had the doctor’s permission,’’ Whitmer explained.  “Mavoreen Briggs was a volunteer who wanted to know if the rule could be changed about volunteers talking with patients.

“Mavoreen said at the time, ‘I think patients want to talk.’’’

The Executive Committee of the medical staff agreed that having non-clinical volunteers engage patients in conversation might improve the patients’ attitude about being in the hospital.  With an improved attitude, maybe their health would also improve.

With the help of Dr. David Belgum, chaplain at the University of Iowa at the time, and Pastor Paul Swanson, Augustana Seminary, Whitmer put together a training program of 20 weeks to teach volunteers listening skills. Mavoreen Briggs, Nan Power and Jane Butterworth were the first class of Befrienders.

Over the past 40 years, more than 500 volunteer Befrienders have assisted thousands of patients with emotional, spiritual and physical healing.

“For many years I have seen Befrienders make a difference in the attitude of hospital patients,’’ Whitmer said. “What we’ve seen is that patients just want to feel normal in a situation that is not all that normal.’’

Whitmer explained that one of the basic ideals of the Befrienders program is that by listening to what patients say and how they say it, Befrienders can assist patients in their roads to recovery.

“A Befriender is there to compassionately listen and provide supportive, spiritual ministry without imposing their own religious beliefs on patients,’’ said Chaplain Jeanne Olsen, Director of the Genesis Befriender Program.

For information on the Befrienders anniversary event, or for information about becoming a Befriender, call the Spiritual Care office at (563) 421-1756.  An application and interview are part of the Befriender admission process.

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