When employed at Boston Scientific, a company devoted to innovative medical solutions that improve lives, you naturally find yourself involved in assisting others. Despite their work commitments, many individuals within the company also take time out of their personal lives to contribute to their communities. In the year 2022 alone, Boston Scientific employees collectively volunteered for over 31,000 hours.
 
Recognizing the significance of this community work, Boston Scientific holds its Global Volunteer Awards annually to honor employees who actively engage in such local initiatives. This year's deserving winners were selected from a pool of more than 40 nominations across 18 countries. We had the opportunity to sit down with these inspiring individuals to learn about their recent projects, the driving force behind their passion for philanthropy, and how Boston Scientific supports them in their endeavors beyond the workplace.
 
One of the remarkable winners is Mehak Sachdev, who cherishes her childhood memories of spending time with her grandfather. Although they lived far apart, Sachdev was deeply influenced by her grandfather's commitment to "Seva," a term in Hindi that means service. He dedicated his life to helping those facing religious persecution and served as a significant source of inspiration for her.
 
In high school, Sachdev began working with Be The Match, an organization that registers volunteers for a global blood and bone marrow registry. During her college years, she volunteered with the Interfaith Youth Core, an organization focused on uniting people of various faiths. When she joined Boston Scientific in 2017, she was concerned that her professional career might hinder her community engagement. However, she was pleasantly surprised to discover the company's strong support for employees' volunteer work. As a result, Sachdev became the captain of the Young Professionals Network at Boston Scientific.
 
Two years ago, one of her mentors shared that both of his parents had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. This revelation motivated Sachdev to take action and offer her help. For the past two years, she has been collaborating with the Alzheimer's Association in Valencia, California, actively engaging more than 500 employees. Her efforts have also contributed to establishing Boston Scientific as a local community leader and a socially conscious employer.
 
Through the dedication and commitment of individuals like Mehak Sachdev, Boston Scientific continues its legacy of service and demonstrates its unwavering support for employees' community involvement.
 
“My personal passion aligns so well with Boston Scientific’s core value of caring,” she said while adding, “There’s this mutual understanding that our actions—no matter how small—have the power to transform lives.”
 

Fostering a Strong Community Both Near and Far
Precious Morton comes from a family with a strong tradition of giving back. Her great grandmother, grandmother, and mother have all opened their homes to foster children, teaching her the profound value of making others feel seen and appreciated.
 
In 2021, when Morton relocated to Yok’Neam, Israel, for her role as senior quality manager, she wasted no time in seeking out volunteer opportunities. It didn't take long for her to discover Alef, an organization dedicated to assisting African refugees and asylum seekers. Morton immediately became involved in their activities, first as a participant and then by rallying her new Boston Scientific colleagues to join in as well.
 
Working together, they rolled up their sleeves to clean, paint, and renovate Alef's local community center. Additionally, they actively supported the organization's fundraising efforts. Morton humorously remarks, "Building Ikea furniture together truly brings co-workers closer!"
 
Initially, when Morton learned she had received one of this year's Global Volunteer Awards, she downplayed the recognition, believing that volunteering should be a humble, behind-the-scenes effort, driven by the satisfaction of helping others. However, the flood of congratulatory emails from her co-workers, who had nominated her, brought back fond memories of the soul-enriching moments she shared while working with Alef. She also fondly recalled her mother, who had originally inspired her to engage in this meaningful work.
 
“Investing in my local community is a personal value of mine, even while abroad,” says Morton. “It was important to me to make sure the Yok’Neam teams experienced the Boston Scientific core values of caring and global collaboration. Though unexpected, this award means everything for being recognized for something already rewarding.”
 

Preserving the Beaches of Childhood
Daniela Jinesta Rojas, a quality engineer, formed her early bond with nature during visits to her grandfather's place in Los Nubes near Coronado, close to the Braulio Carrillo rainforest. As she grew older, her love for hiking and scuba diving blossomed.
 
However, her close connection with the great outdoors also exposed her to a significant drawback: witnessing litter in the most breathtaking locations. This experience fueled her passion for environmental advocacy.
 
Presently, Jinesta dedicates over 200 hours each year to conserving corals and cleaning local beaches and rivers. Moreover, she actively involves other employees from Boston Scientific's Heredia, Costa Rica site in environmental protection initiatives.
 
Reflecting on the impact of collective efforts, Jinesta emphasizes the significance of teamwork in filling three massive trucks with garbage collected from local beaches. Each individual's small contribution can culminate in a substantial positive impact.
 
A few years ago, Jinesta stumbled upon the Japanese word "ikigai," which embodies a sense of purpose. This concept resonated deeply with her, helping crystallize the reasons behind her commitment to giving back and preserving the environment in the meaningful ways she does.
 
“We cannot just take and not give anything back—we’ll be out of resources,” she said.
“Sometimes it might seem like you’re not doing enough. But it’s all the little efforts put together—and all the people you engage and ideas you set into motion—that make the difference.”