Longtime Service League Volunteer Retires After Serving 20 Years

Special congratulations to one of our favorite Service League volunteers, Geri Azevedo, who is retiring after serving 20 years at Doctors Medical Center.

Geri has served an astounding 23,308 hours at our hospital. Over the years, you may have seen her volunteering in various areas of our hospital or walking our hallways with her therapy dog, Tassy. Together, Geri and Tassy brought joy and solace to countless patients, visitors and employees.

Tassy retired from her duties in 2021 after coming to Doctors Medical Center with Geri for more than eight years. We honored Tassy with a “Code Sun” celebratory walk and retirement party as she officially passed the bone to our current service dog, Bria. Geri and Tassy’s story went viral and touched millions around the globe.

Doctors Medical Center will always be grateful to Geri for her incredible service. She is retiring to live closer to her family. Thank you for everything, Geri!

Some well wishes to Geri from colleagues and community members:

“Geri has made such an amazing impact on so many people at DMC. I can’t imagine the place without her. I’m sure the patients, employees, and fellow Service League members will miss her.”

“Mrs. Azevedo (or Mrs. Az that we called her) was my high school guidance counselor at Patterson High. I graduated in 1986 and my husband in 82. We both have numerous siblings as well that did. She was amazing and left a positive, inspiring mark on so many. As an adult we had an opportunity to reconnect working in healthcare after her retirement from the educational field to find out she continued the service she provided to so many students to another group of patients and staff at DMC. We love you and thank you for everything you given back to our community!”

“Enjoy your retirement, Geri! You deserve spending time in your new home with your family nearby! It was great volunteering with you.”

“Congratulations on your retirement Mrs. Azevedo. One of the nicest people that I have known since high school. Enjoy your retirement.”

“A well-earned retirement! Always enjoyed seeing her out and about helping nurses and patients alike! Geri, you will be missed!”