SANFORD — A long-time community volunteer, whose task in her professional life is to coordinate volunteers, has been recognized by her peers for her work.

Joanne Livingston is the volunteer supervisor at Sanford Medical Center of Southern Maine Health Care. She recently received the Director of Volunteer Excellence award for outstanding volunteer management from the Maine Society of Directors of Healthcare Volunteer Services, at the Maine Hospital Association’s summer forum.

Livingston was particularly recognized for the “Sharp Minds, Strong Bodies” program she established at the Sanford campus, which enhances traditional patient care by integrating mentally stimulating activities into the healing process, according to Millie Stewart, spokeswoman for the society. It is the only hospital volunteer program of its kind in Maine.

Stewart said patient satisfaction is improved because iPads and other engaging activities are available for patient use during their stay. Livingston funded the program by winning a $25,000 grant to cover expenses to launch and sustain the program. Trained volunteers run the program at the hospital, working with patients to teach them how to use the equipment, and how to keep connected to family and friends while they’re an inpatient.

“It was a surprise,” said Livingston of the award. “And a peer award is always nice because they really get what you’re going through.”

As well, said Livingston, the award is recognition for all volunteers and the hospital staff who embrace volunteers in their departments.

Livingston keeps track of about 110 active volunteers a month, some of whom may volunteer as little as one hour a week, and others, up to 30 hours. In 2013, the Sanford facility, then known as Goodall Hospital, logs 26,650 volunteer hours.

In addition to the peer award, Livingston also received the President’s Award from the New England Association of Directors Healthcare Volunteer Services.

On the job, Livingston said she tries to match volunteers with their own interests ”“ what works as the best fit for them.

Volunteering is something she takes seriously, in her private life as well as in her professional life.

Stewart said Livingston founded and chairs the committee for Gary’s Walk for Goodall, memorializing her good friend Gary Sullivan, who was one of the hospital’s and the community’s most prominent supporters. She volunteers with the Goodall Library literacy program, is event director of the Maine Children’s Cancer Program, and is an ALS-Maine Collaborative volunteer.

Livingston, in a recent telephone interview, said she remembers her first volunteer gig.

“Our children loved to read,” she said, and so she wanted others to know the rich experience that reading brings. So she became a tutor with Literacy Volunteers of Greater Sanford.

“From there, it snowballed,” she said. Most recently, she lent her skill to the publicity committee for the new Sanford school construction project.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].