This post was written by Cassie Kurtz, MHL, supervisor, Volunteer Services, Parkview Health.
It’s National Volunteer Appreciation Week, an opportunity for us to spotlight the amazing contributions of our tremendous volunteers. At Parkview, we have no shortage of outstanding volunteers providing service to our patients and guests every day.
We’re thankful for the chance to pause and applaud these often-unsung heroes who choose to spend their free time walking alongside us and those who enter our facilities. They make our halls brighter, our supplies supremely stocked and our entryways warmer.
Parkview volunteers by the numbers
Over the course of a year, our volunteers provide well over 25,000 hours systemwide. This is time dedicated to filling gaps in various areas, supporting our frontline co-workers, assisting with pop-up projects and sprinkling joy throughout our buildings.
Parkview Volunteer Services proudly boasts 350+ hospital volunteers systemwide, across eight communities in Indiana and Ohio.
Volunteer assistance
Our volunteers assist with a variety of tasks, including:
- Stocking, cleaning and organizing supplies and nutrition areas.
- Minor clerical tasks such as copying, filing, bulk mail, basic data input and packet assembly.
- Wayfinding, which includes walking alongside guests, verbal directives/answering questions and pushing patients and visitors in wheelchairs.
- Patient/guest interaction such as playdates in pediatrics, bedside companionship and conversation, rocking babies in the NICU and assisting those in need of assistance throughout our facilities.
- Special projects as needed.
- Specialty programs such as No One Dies Alone (NODA), Kate’s Kart, Three Rivers Visiting Therapy Dogs, remembrance photography, Forever in Your Heart and Patient Family Advisory Councils.
We consider our volunteers essential complements to our world-class care and support teams, bringing a little something extra special to our patients’ and guests’ experience. The care, time, talent and support they bring is immeasurable and invaluable. From a smile that changes the direction of the day to an extra set of hands keeping things moving, our volunteers show up and support in so many unique and necessary ways.
This week and always, we celebrate those who donate their time and talents to our health system. We appreciate you beyond measure!
Interested in volunteering?
To learn more about volunteer opportunities, email [email protected] or submit an application at parkview.com/careers/volunteering.
