When Sam Huston closed a successful 44-year career in hospital administration, it didn’t end his desire to help ensure that Clevelanders have access to high-quality, affordable health care. For the past five years, Sam Huston has served on the board of directors of Neighborhood Family Practice, even stepping in as chair at one point when unexpectedly needed.

In acknowledgement of his dedication, The Center for Community Solutions honored Sam recently with one of its Most Treasured Volunteer awards.

Sam has used his knowledge and experience to guide the organization through a period of rapid growth and innovation, including the opening of two new health centers and integration of behavioral and oral health services with primary care.

His colleagues admire his leadership style, integrity, humility, sincerity and candor. They say that he looks at things with a fair eye, questions things to make everyone think, truly cares, and represents what a volunteer should be.

“Sam’s support and guidance has been essential to our organization’s rapid growth in recent years. He encourages you to examine things from all angles and really cares about our patients, staff and board members. We’re so glad Sam is part of the NFP family,” says Jean Polster, RN, MS, president and chief executive officer of NFP

In addition to Sam, four area residents were selected as the 2016-2017 MTVs (Most Treasured Volunteers) by The Center for Community Solutions for their dedication to volunteering at nonprofit human services organizations serving Greater Cleveland:

• Samuel Huston, Neighborhood Family Practice
• Linda Jenkins, Cleveland Sight Center
• Bryan Jones, Garden Valley Neighborhood House
• James Mason, United Way of Greater Cleveland
• Betsy Sampliner, Cleveland School of the Arts

Their volunteer service includes helping people adjust to life during and after vision loss, educating and advocating regarding HIV prevention and testing, providing leadership during a period of rapid growth, sharing skills while building self-esteem in children, and serving as an ambassador both locally and on the state level. Between them, they represent nearly 50 years of volunteer service. The awards were presented during the 2017 Celebration of Human Services on Friday, October 20, at the Hilton Garden Inn and Conference Center—Downtown.

See  90.3 WCPN ideastream® spotlight on Sam here.