Dirne health center to honor volunteers

The Dirne Community Health Center is honoring its volunteers during a ceremony set for 5 tonight at the Coeur d'Alene Library's Community Room. Five volunteers were nominated for the "Healthcare From the Heart Award" award for their "exceptional contributions to provide access to quality healthcare."

The nominees are: Lisa Crumb, Peggy Irving, Lake City Community Church, Dr. Richard Smart DDS, and Glenn Vaughn. Between them, they have 43 years of helping at Dirne.

"Demand is growing for healthcare for the underinsured while government budgets are receding," according to a press release. "It is from our own community that volunteers are stepping up, and helping provide healthcare for so many. Physicians, dentists, counselors and support volunteers have provided thousands of people access to quality healthcare last year."

A little about the nominees:

* Lisa Crumb is a community volunteer working to help ease challenges of transportation and nutrition for the homeless and working poor.

* Peggy Irving worked with Lidwina Dirne in the all-volunteer clinic as an RN and is the Clinic Coordinator that ensured high-quality care.

* Volunteers of Lake City Community Church provided both a night-clinic at Dirne's Family Practice, as well as initiated a comprehensive Health Fair to provide services at no cost.

* Richard Smart's dedication pushed open the door of the Dirne Dental clinic for the first time, and has helped thousands of patients with tooth infections.

* Glenn Vaughn's 17-year contribution has been his passion to help others heal through counseling, and through which, he has touched thousands of lives.

Dirne's annual, "Healthcare From the Heart Award" last year went to Lidwina Dirne.

Information: Alan Brockway, 415-0292