First presented in 1982 and named for a most dedicated volunteer, Eleanor Volonte, the Eleanor Award is the highest honor given by the Women’s Association of Morristown Medical Center to one of its members. It is given to the “busy bee” who has distinguished herself in service to WAMMC and Morristown Medical Center. Fittingly, the recipient’s gift is a beautiful gold bee pin given with deep appreciation for dedication and service.
President Dannette Merchant presented the 2015 Eleanor Award to Nathalie Dennis at the April 15th Annual Meeting and Luncheon.
Nathalie first became involved in the WAMMC in 2008 when she served as an enthusiastic volunteer at Mansion in May 2008 at Froh Heim. In 2009, she joined the WAMMC Board as a member of the Publicity Committee, chairing the Newsletter until 2011. At the 2010 Annual Meeting and Luncheon, she received the Rookie of the Year Award and was elected as the WAMMC Executive Secretary, a position that she held for two terms, finishing in 2014. Additionally, she was a member of the Volunteer Committee as a Day Chair for MIM 2010 at Fawn Hill Farm.
In 2012, Nathalie was General Co-Chair for MIM 2012 at Glynallyn bringing to this position her meticulous attention to detail. In addition to overseeing her committee responsibilities, one of the first things Nathalie did was to research and compile the history of Glynallyn. It took hours of diligent effort and from her research, she was able to put together a timeline of events and wrote a comprehensive history.
Among her other contributions to MIM 2012, she secured a graphic designer at no cost to us, and for the first time in the history of MIM we had professional, glossy brochures for reaching out to potential underwriters; she had the vision for a first-ever Visitors’ Kiosk, which came to fruition under her guidance; and she inspired new ideas for content in the redeveloped MIM Journal. At the close of MIM 2012 Nathalie’s report included comprehensive guidelines with the goal of passing on as much information as possible so that each Mansion in May would be a record-breaking event!
For MIM 2014 at Blairsden, Nathalie served as a Journal Co-Chair where she brought to the position her attention to detail, along with creative ideas for content and her excellent editing skills. She was also a valuable resource to the MIM 2014 General Co-Chairs as an advisor.
Nathalie currently serves on the WAMMC Board as a Member-at-Large, a member of the Policy and Procedure Committee, a member of the Nominating Committee, and as the WAMMC representative on the Morristown Medical Center Diversity Council. She is also on the committee for the 2015 Honey Brunch “fun-raiser” event as the Program Chair.
Many thanks and congratulations to Nathalie Dennis! She truly is an example of a ‘busy bee”!