Girdwood Health Care Resume (19)

John Girdwood is Coordinator of Volunteer Services at McLaren Homecare Group and manages the program for the Genesee/Lapeer Region.  Educated primarily at Michigan State University, his interests include health and well-being throughout the life course, including family and media influence on American sports participation.  His graduate degree in administration allows Girdwood to bring prestige to an often undervalued role at hospice.  As a national speaker on volunteer engagement and healthcare, he engages healthcare professionals “top down or bottoms up” to deliver the message of inclusion at every level.  In addition to his role at McLaren, he serves as adjunct faculty Professor of Sociology at University of Michigan – Flint, Saginaw Valley State University, and Delta College.  He has also taught at Michigan State University.

Together with executives and staff at his current post, Girdwood plays an integral role on a committee levering a substantial endowment to establish a Hospice Foundation and fund raising department.  His leadership skills work “on the ground” all the way up to the executive suites and he continually bridges the gap between broad corporate initiatives and those who deliver tangible services.  A lifelong student and change agent, Girdwood utilizes a knowledge base of organizational structure, a creative mind, and a charismatic style to continually drive progress toward positive outcomes.

A member of several hospice and volunteer organizations, he currently serves as regional representative for the Michigan Hospice Volunteer Coordinators Association.  He has conducted Board of Directors recruitment, bringing three individuals to the Board in 2011 and in the past, managed a group of Pro Bono Attorneys at Elder Law of Michigan.  Girdwood maintains a volunteer role enrolling senior citizens in public benefits through the MiCAFE program.

Key Accomplishments

• 2-year implementation of paperless record keeping system to track unpaid labor cost-savings averaging close to $500,000 annually
• Initiated several projects to stimulate growth through fund development including partnerships with the Detroit Lions, Detroit Pistons, Michigan State University, and the Buick Open (PGA)
• Participate in Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement team that originates concepts that gain board approval
• Personally responsible for recommending three new individuals to sit on board of directors
• Played vital role in launching Hospice Foundation, assisting Vice President in sustainability plan for $300,000 endowment
• Positioned subsidiary volunteer program into corporate 2012 integration focus

Appearance on ABC 12

[web link here to video]

 

 

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