Blind Volunteer 'Piano Man' Receives St. Mary Humankindness Award

Dignity Health – St. Mary Medical Center is grateful to the hundreds of volunteers who assist throughout the hospital with various projects. However, one volunteer’s special story stands out among the rest. Gene Rogers, 77 years old of Long Beach, has been volunteering at St. Mary since 1981 and helps everyone start their morning on a ‘good note’ by playing the piano in the main hospital lobby. Mr. Rogers first became acquainted with the hospital nearly 40 years ago through its Low Vision Center (LVC). The LVC helped him understand and adjust to living life legally blind. He’s committed to staying busy and takes the city bus to the hospital Monday thru Friday to play the piano for visitors and staff alike.