PARSIPPANY — The Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center honored three emergency department ambassador volunteers from Morris and Somerset Counties with the Irene Fortunato Award on June 17.
Gurleen Kaur, a Parsippany resident, received the largest award of the three recipients at $1,000.00. Kaur studies biology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. She has contributed more than 107 volunteer hours while demonstrating exceptional dedication to patient care and service.
“My time at Atlantic Health Morristown Medical Center has shown me that there are no ‘small’ tasks in health care – everyone who works in this hospital plays a role in the patient’s care,” Kaur said.
This year, she served as a mentor to new emergency department volunteers, helping them become comfortable with department operations and guiding them through their volunteer experience.
“This perspective is what keeps me committed to service at Atlantic Health Morristown Medical Center,” Kaur said. “Volunteering has not only shaped my academic and professional goals but has also strengthened my identity as someone dedicated to compassionate, proactive care.”
The Irene Fortunato Award was established by the Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center in 2023 to recognize active college-level volunteers who contributed a minimum of 50 hours of service, demonstrated reliability and showed a strong commitment to the hospital volunteer program in which they participate.
Irene Fortunato, who lived from 1924 to 2019, joined Morristown Medical Center as a volunteer in 1998. For over 20 years, she gave more than 29,000 hours of service, an unmatched record. In 2018, she received the President’s Volunteer Service Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award.
College student volunteers submit an application and essay for consideration, and recipients are selected by the volunteer services team.
