Daniel Watford, center, was recognized at the Volunteer of the Year for McLeod Regional Medical Center. Pictured from left to right: Sam Turbeville, Linda Boone, Daniel Watford, Nancy Watford and Will McLeod, Administrator of McLeod Regional Medical Center.

McLeod Regional Medical Center named Daniel Watford as the Volunteer of the Year for 2020. The announcement was made on January 28, 2021. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon was a held as a drive-through event this year at the Hellenic Center in Florence.

Watford, a Florence resident, joined McLeod Regional Medical Center as a Volunteer Chaplain in November of 2018. Sam Turbeville, Director of Pastoral Services for McLeod, said, “At first, Danny spent most of his time in the Emergency Department, working four consecutive days a week. Having a servant’s heart, he always offers to help out anywhere, anytime and anyplace he is needed. He is humble and teachable, always putting the needs of others above his own. In 2019, during the Christmas Holiday when Staff Chaplains were given time off and the Chaplain scheduled to work unexpectedly became ill, Danny stepped up and covered the entire week. Through the many changes Pastoral Services has gone through, Danny has remained flexible and adaptable. He also assists our department with interviewing and training new Chaplains. Danny will be the first to tell you that the Lord has blessed him in so many ways that allow him to give freely of his time and talents. He is truly a valuable member of our Pastoral Services department and we are honored to have him.”

In presenting the award to Watford, Linda Boone, Director of Volunteer Services for McLeod, shared, “There is not enough good things you can say about Daniel. He sets his sights on helping others and strives to do more each day. While sitting in my office one day, Daniel and I were talking about possible employment at McLeod. His response to me was, ‘There is no amount of money that McLeod could pay me that would replace the blessings I get as a volunteer.’ He truly loves what he does here. When I first met Daniel he talked to me about some of the challenges he has been through. He is able to relate to patients in a way that most people cannot. His love for the Lord and his fellow man is evident in everything he does.  Daniel truly walks the walk.”

In addition to the Volunteer of the Year announcement, Judith Lackey was recognized with the Most Clinical Hours in 2020; Robin Welty received the Most Crafter Hours; and Keith Redden was honored with the Eagle Award as the Outstanding Junior Volunteer.

More than 235 volunteers who contribute outstanding service to McLeod Regional Medical Center were honored for their service during 2020. These dedicated individuals contributed more than 32,000 volunteer hours to the hospital over the past year.