Owatonna Hospital volunteer honored

Deb Buck receives Minnesota Hospital Association Volunteer of the Year award

OWATONNA, Minn. (Oct. 1, 2024) — Every fall, the Minnesota Hospital Association recognizes outstanding work happening at Minnesota's hospitals and health systems. Its Volunteer(s) of the Year award honors a volunteer whose activities, according to its website, "benefit the well-being of both patients and the hospital, and who stands as an inspirational example of hospital volunteerism." This year’s recipient is Allina Health volunteer Deb Buck of Owatonna.

 Deb began volunteering at Owatonna Hospital’s Coffee and Gift Shop in 2019 after a 36-year career leading customer service teams. She co-chaired the organization’s annual Festival of Tables event, which over two years, raised $32,000 in scholarship funds for 17 Steele County students pursuing a health-related career.

In 2024, Deb became the President of the Owatonna Hospital Auxiliary. With volunteer levels down following COVID and hospital volunteers no longer required to be Auxiliary members, she proactively redefined the Auxiliary’s mission, vision, and member benefits. She enhanced promotional and recruitment efforts, updated systems and processes, mentored other volunteers and formed groups to help members understand how their gifts and talents could support unbudgeted hospital needs. A positive "side effect" of her dedication has been the many new friendships she helped form.

Mary Parsons, Allina Health volunteer coordinator and award nominator, described Deb as a "strong leader, clear and concise in her instruction" as well as "fair, compassionate, and goal orientated." Parsons added, "She has a ready smile and cheerful disposition that attracts others to her."

Each year, 130 volunteers at Owatonna Hospital provide more than 2,000 hours supporting patients and visitors and more than 12,000 hours fundraising for student scholarships and needed hospital items.

"Volunteers are an important extension of our Care Team and give so much to our patients and staff," noted Whitney Johnson, Allina Health Owatonna Hospital president. "Deb is a model for what remarkable volunteerism looks like and we are so grateful she chooses to share her talents with us."

Deb Buck volunteer

About Allina Health

Allina Health is a nonprofit health care system serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin, dedicated to preventing and treating illness and improving the health of individuals, families and communities. Through a network of more than 90 clinics, 12 hospital campuses, 13 retail pharmacies, specialty care centers, home care and emergency medical transportation, Allina Health provides high-quality care from birth through end-of-life. 

Allina Health Institutes are at the forefront of the mission, which offer nationally recognized experts and advanced care in key specialties: 

  • Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute – A leader in cardiovascular innovation, research and care delivery through clinical trials, publications and training 4,000+ providers annually, it is consistently rated ‘High Performing’ by U.S. News & World Report. 
  • Allina Health Cancer Institute – Providing comprehensive, personalized and innovative oncology care across the full cancer journey, delivered at ten locations—including its three largest hospitals, which U.S. News & World Report consistently rates “High Performing” in multiple oncology specialties. 
  • Allina Health Brain and Spine Institute – Delivering advanced neurologic and spine care through Givens Brain Tumor Program, two nationally accredited stroke centers and an elite Adult Neurology Residency Program, while earning recognition from Becker’s, Newsweek & U.S. News & World Report.

Together, these institutes exemplify Allina Health’s commitment to clinical excellence, innovation and compassionate care. Learn more at allinahealth.org and join us on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.