Allina Health Annual Volunteer Award and volunteer stories
Allina Health volunteers are valued members of our care team, playing a vital role in supporting our mission. each year, more than 3,000 volunteers contribute their time, talents, and kindness to countless areas across Allina health's hospitals, clinics and community programs.
Annual Volunteer Award
The Allina Health Annual Volunteer Award celebrates outstanding volunteers who exemplify our core values of compassion, integrity, excellence and teamwork.
Allina Health volunteers:
- Help our care team members carry out their work.
- Bring a friendly and caring presence to our patients, families and communities.
- Are integral to our wellness community.
- Deepen our connection with community.
Criteria: to deserve consideration of this award, the nominee must demonstrate exceptional volunteer service and embody one or more of the Allina Health values:
- Compassion: we serve with empathy and kindness
- Integrity: we work honesty & ethically
- Excellence: we deliver best-in-class care
- Teamwork: we are all part of one care team
Eligibility: the nominee must:
- Be an active Allina Health volunteer in good standing within their role in Allina Health Volunteer Services.
- Volunteer directly or in one or more of Allina Health's own sites and programs. These include hospitals and clinics, hospice, rehabilitation therapies, fitness & aquatics, Courage Kenny Adaptive Sports & recreation, or Early Youth Eyecare (E.Y.E.).
- Be nominated by a non-family member and someone other than themselves.
- Not receive this award more than once in five years.
Not eligible: Activities through the Allina health Employee Volunteerism program with partner nonprofit organizations such as walks/runs, food shelf volunteering, etc. (formerly employee Mission Matters) are not eligible.
Nomination
Now accepting nominations!
Guidelines and rules
- Incomplete or late nominations will not be accepted or considered by the Selection Committee.
- Nominations can be made by all Allina Health care team members including other volunteers, as well as community members.
- The decisions made by the Selection Committee are final.
- Up to four awards may be given each year.
Deadline to submit nominations is June 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
Tips for a strong nomination
- It takes approximately 20 minutes to complete a quality nomination.
- Provide a compelling case that clearly demonstrates why your nominee is the best candidate for the award.
- Provide specific examples or stories–include what sets the volunteer apart from others–describe how they go above and beyond.
Fill out your nomination here: 2026 Annual Volunteer Award nomination form – Fill out form
Questions? volunteer@allina.com.
Past award recipients
2025 Annual Volunteer Award recipients
Donna Brandell
Office and Staff Support Volunteer
Mercy Hospital - Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute
Jeffrey Finley (Posthumous)
Wayfinder Volunteer
Abbott Northwestern Hospital
Neha Nagaraj
Lead Vision Screener Volunteer
Early Youth Eyecare Community Initiative (E.Y.E.) - Phillips Eye Institute
Eric Taylor
Patient and Family Support Volunteer
Allina Health Hospice
Volunteer stories
View all team volunteer stories below. Open the stories menu by clicking the arrow on the right side of the featured video.
More information
Get involved
Visit our volunteer page to explore the many ways to volunteer with Allina Health.
Contact Us
Allina Health Volunteer Services
volunteer@allina.com