Barbara DeFazio

Good things come in small packages … and that phrase holds true for one committed volunteer, Barbara DeFazio. Unlike her petite size, Barbara holds a very large job as Coral Springs Medical Center’s Auxiliary President for the past 7 years, a term normally held for a maximum of 2 consecutive years. But with a decline in volunteers willing to accept this leadership role, Barbara has gracefully extended her commitment year after year rather than abandoning the Auxiliary. Now this is passion!

When you first meet Barbara, your impression may be one of a kind and loving grandmother. While she is that and more, she is also strong willed, determined and a dedicated leader who for the last 18 years has volunteered nearly 10,000 hours at the hospital.

While her donated hours are impressive, what’s most inspiring is her tenacity to make a difference. Leading by example, kindness and strength, Barbara successfully coordinates 400 volunteers and has raised nearly $1.5 million while CSMC Auxiliary President. These funds have purchased critical items like wheelchairs, heart monitors, stretchers, work carts, child birthing water tubs, and furniture just to name a few. In addition, annually the Auxiliary provides eight $1,500 scholarships for high school seniors seeking a career in the medical field.

Barbara has truly earned our utmost respect and her accomplishments exemplify a true commitment to serve the needs of the hospital and its community.

Joyce Freeman
Gift Shop Manager
Coral Springs Medical Center’s Auxiliary

What is your professional or volunteer job and what is your favorite part of it: As Manager of the Coral Springs Medical Center’s (CSMC) Auxiliary Gift Shop, I enjoy every aspect of my job: training new sales personnel, attending trade shows to find new and exciting merchandise, arranging and stocking the showcases and display shelves, helping customers make appropriate selection of a gift. Even dusting the shelves and sweeping the carpet!

Who has had the greatest impact on your life and/or career My father always encouraged me to stay strong and never give up.

Most rewarding aspect of a volunteer The feeling of being a part of a “family” working together towards a common goal: to make the CSMC the best it can possibly be. It gives me the incentive to strive to increase our sales so that the funds we raise go to the hospital to provide equipment not included in its budget. We have supplied extra amenities for the comfort of the patients and their families, such as lounge chairs and sleeper sofas, flat-screen televisions for Mother/Baby maternity rooms, a birthing tub, and State-of-the-Art diagnostic medical equipment. “I feel I am doing something constructive as well as productive with my life.”

What makes a lasting impression The good will that is engendered when employees share their good news with us such as the birth of a grandchild (with pictures, of course) and other happy events. I feel we are more than just a Gift Shop; we are an integral part of the hospital.

Favorite community groups and charities and why One of our most successful activities is the Annual Teddy Bear Parade at which time hundreds of teddy bears are collected, then distributed to the Police and Fire Departments which, in turn, are given to children as comfort when they are involved a traumatic situation.

With the money raised through the Gift Shop sales, as well as from our other fundraising activities, the Auxiliary is able to grant scholarships to young people entering the medical field. This year, we allocated $12,000 to eight deserving students.

What are you most proud of I am most proud of my wonderful sales staff. More than 25 dedicated women, many of whom have been in the Gift Shop since it opened nineteen years ago, have made it possible to keep it running. We only close for hurricanes! They have a very proprietary regard for the shop and are always looking for ways to improve its appearance. Besides the adult sales people, we have several teen volunteers who bring a youthful aspect to the shop. They are very quick, bright and eager to learn (this is part of their community services hours required for high school graduation.)

It is my pleasure to work closely with the other members of the Auxiliary Board whose tireless efforts have benefited the hospital as well. It is with their support and encouragement that I am able to maintain our high quality of service.

I also take great pride in the compliments we receive from customers as to the appearance of the shop and the selection of merchandise. I appreciate the “thank yous” from the nurses who use the equipment we provide for them.

Most fun at a charity event Watching others benefit from our charity efforts and knowing that our hard work pays off.

What makes your county special Coral Springs is the only city in Broward County, which has a summer camp for children with diabetes. It is called Camp KoralKids and is run by the Coral Springs Medical Center.

What community project are you currently working on The day-to-day responsibilities of managing and maintaining the Gift Shop is an ongoing project.

How do you relax I love to read and always have two to three books at my nightstand. I also love to play word games on the computer, which keeps my head sharp!

What’s a perfect day for you Lounging on the beach reading the latest Nora Roberts.

What’s a surprising fact about you I have no surprises. What you see is who I am.

Most prized possession and why I am in the process of sending my possessions to my two married children. I do not want to be burdened with “things”. If I did have a prized possession, it would be the plaque on my wall, which my husband and I won in 1985, for being the “Couples Champions” in a golf competition.