MIDDLETOWN, NY — Garnet Health Medical Center recently honored Toni McGibbon, a hospital volunteer with 26 years of service—which makes her the longest-serving volunteer at the hospital.

In November 1997, Toni McGibbon, a resident of Middletown, began volunteering at Horton Hospital (which merged with Arden Hill Hospital in 2002 to form Orange Regional Medical Center and is now Garnet Health Medical Center) within the patient-transport department. She quickly embraced her assignment, made many new friends and put patients at ease as she moved them throughout the hospital, a Garnet Health spokesperson said.

McGibbon volunteered at the hospital two to three days per week, taking patients to testing, moving them from the emergency department to their inpatient room, or helping with their discharge. She said some of her most enjoyable transports were the discharges of new babies.

McGibbon’s numbers include:

26 years of service at Garnet Health Medical Center (longest-serving volunteer)

17,000 hours of service

$338,342 in-service donation to the community

More than 12 million steps taken with patients

Approximately 6,400 miles traveled

McGibbon was among the volunteers to come back after the COVID-19 lockdown. She put her skills to use, helping with transport and then with the COVID vaccination clinic. Today, she volunteers at the registration desk on the main floor of the hospital and helps patients register for procedures, tests and doctor visits.

All her years in transport come in handy, since she often gives directions and still effortlessly guides people through the hospital, the spokesperson said.

Garnet Health Medical Center thanked McGibbon “for her boundless dedication and [the way she] encourages others to join her in the fulfilling work of volunteerism.”

For those interested in volunteering at Garnet Health, visit www.garnethealth.org/giving/volunteer.