Long-time volunteer honored for continued dedication

Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital’s Volunteer Award annually recognizes a volunteer whose contributions to the hospital go above and beyond. This year, the award was given to Diane Grallo.

Grallo has been a volunteer for 16 years, contributing more than 6,500 hours of service. She has worked in many areas throughout the hospital. She worked with the Radiology Department for many years, but these days can be found in Rehabilitation Services doing computer work and calling patients ahead of their visits. In fact, at this year’s Partners In Excellence Awards Ceremony, her contributions to the BWFH/BWH Stroke Team were acknowledged with the presentation of a Partners In Excellence Team Award. She has also been a member of BWFH’s Patient and Family Advisory Council since 2013.

After a 35-year career with the telephone company, Grallo began volunteering at BWFH alongside her aunt. These days, Grallo spends two mornings a week at BWFH where she enjoys talking to patients on the phone. “You get to know each other after a while,” she says.

Grallo says she likes to keep busy. She walks every day, serves as President of the Villagers Club in West Roxbury and is an active member of her church. “Retirement is like a different world,” she says. “It’s the chance to do things that you never had the chance to do.”

When she was notified that she would receive this year’s Volunteer Award, Grallo says she was surprised. “I never expected it to be honest,” she says. “I just enjoy being here. I enjoy the people and keeping busy. And it’s a chance to give back.”