About three weeks ago Pat Gotto was puzzled to receive a letter with the return address of the Protocol Office of Saskatchewan.
"I couldn't figure out why they would be writing me," Pat explained, "and then when I discovered that it contained an invitation to meet with the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan at Government House in Regina to be awarded the Diamond Jubilee Medal I was flabbergasted. I kept thinking how on Earth did they get my name?"
Battlefords Union Hospital (BUH) Foundation was honoured to nominate Gotto for the Diamond Jubilee Medal in August, 2012.
"We received a letter from Herb Cox, MLA for the Battlefords, welcoming resumes for individuals who had demonstrated great community involvement and volunteerism and immediately thought of Pat," noted Claudette McGuire, executive director, BUH Foundation.
Gotto was a registered nurse at BUH for most of her nursing career and managed the Surgical Unit, Intensive Care Unit and was the director of Acute Care Services. Gotto was a strong supporter of the formalization of BUH Foundation in 1992 and in 1994 was asked to join the board of directors.
In 1997 Gotto was also invited to sit on the board of the former Battleford Health District and was then appointed the health district's liaison with BUH Foundation. She retired from this position in 2008.
Gotto continues to volunteer with the foundation and is an invaluable asset to the organization. She also has delivered food for the Meals on Wheels program for over 20 years, and continues to do so. She has been associated and volunteers with the Associated Canadian Travellers through her late husband Al, for the past 50 years, fundraising for BUH, River Heights Lodge and the Battleford District Care Centre.
Gotto also has served on the Edwards Society Board for the past 15 years in many capacities and is currently the vice-chair. Pat helps out at the Western Development Museum with their fundraising efforts as well. She has received numerous awards for her volunteerism and community support including the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal in 2005 and the Spirit of Giving Award last year at the Wayne Pruden Memorial Golf Tournament.
Jerry Wintonyk, Chair of BUH Foundation says, "Pat is the individual we refer to as the 'never say no' volunteer and we are extremely proud to have Pat associated with the foundation. Congratulations Pat, you deserve this!"
