Inside Duke Medicine
Marlina Roberson: Volunteering in the spirit of MLK
posted January 20th, 2010Nurse Marlina Roberson's volunteer work is broad and varied, but begins at her church, the Raleigh Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Marlina works with girls 8 to 11 years old in the church community. "Every time a service project is suggested, Marlina completes things with thoroughness and compassion," says church member Celeste Hester. "She has taught young girls how to serve and strengthen others within their own community -- and not at anyone else's bidding, but because the need is apparent."
Last Christmas, for example, Marlina and her girls made Christmas wreath pins for patients at the Laurel's Nursing Home in Pittsboro. More recently, Marlina and her young charges brought beautiful baskets filled with food and other items to the Women's Crisis Center in Pittsboro. She also worked with the Primary children's group with their recent service project, bringing gifts and activity kits to clients and patients at the Chatham County Outreach Alliance, UNC Hospital's Pediatric Unit and Duke Children's Cardiology patients.
Marlina has also been working with the Boy Scouts of Pittsboro and Sanford, helping as a nurse with required physical exams before the scouts could go to summer camp. She partnered with a Fort Bragg physician to complete the exams in one day.
"It amazes me how Marlina makes the time to do so much for others, care for her family, and perform at work so well," writes Loretta Ezell, clinical operations director for the Duke Dialysis Program. "It is wonderful to know that there are such caring, thoughtful and selfless people going the extra mile to provide for members in need in our communities."
Marlina was one of DUH's 2010 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Caregiver Award nominees. Learn more about others nominees and the 2010 MLK Community Caregiver here.