SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton: Volunteers Give A Lot But Receive Much More

Press release from SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton:

February 9, 2022

Many of our teammates at SSM Health have spent hours recently volunteering at our hospitals, doing routine tasks that our front-line workers haven’t had time for because they have been caring for so many patients with COVID-19 – or because they have become infected too.

It has been a work shared by office workers and clinicians alike, from our senior leaders to anyone who wants to lend a caring hand to a variety of tasks, hoping it will lighten the load for those who have been caring for the sick non-stop for two years – and counting.

The volunteer ranks at local hospitals used to be filled with people from the community who wanted to give back and provide some care and support for their friends and neighbors. But the pandemic has depleted those numbers.

“When COVID-19 arrived, we had to suspend our services and send every volunteer home to look out for their safety,” said Derek Shaw, director of volunteer services and guest relations at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, Ill., part of SSM Health’s Southern Illinois region. “We have been able to bring our volunteers back, but a number of them have not returned because of their own health concerns, or those of a loved one.”

Among SSM Health’s 23 hospitals across our states, no two volunteer crews look alike.

“In more urban settings, there may be a large percentage of students volunteering as they gain experience for what they hope will be a career in health care,” Shaw said. “But in more rural areas like Mt. Vernon, we have a large number of retirees who want to stay active and give back to their communities.”

Statistics show that people who volunteer their time tend to live longer and have a more fulfilling life.

“There’s a sense of reward for helping a fellow community member or a friend,” Shaw said. “This is a way to provide purpose. Jesus said it’s more blessed to give than to receive, and our volunteers come to realize this is true.”

There are many ways that a volunteer can serve in a hospital setting. They could be welcoming patients and families at the reception desk, or wheeling patients who are being released to the arms of their families and awaiting a vehicle to take them home. They might be ringing up gifts like stuffed animals and books at the gift shop.

But the list of volunteer options at your local hospital is even longer than you think. Consider these opportunities as a sample of what’s available:

Patient escorts. Help patients find their way around the hospital after registration, perhaps to imaging to get an X-ray or an MRI. Walk with them to their destination in what can be a confusing place during an overwhelming time in their lives.

Guest relations. These volunteers usually work at the entrance, assisting at the main desk or helping patients get into wheelchairs.

Surgery helpers. These volunteers put together information packets or help patients and their families understand what will happen before, during and after the procedure.

Cancer center volunteers. This can be as basic as providing magazines, coffee, information packets, gowns and socks to patients.

Shuttle drivers. In some of our facilities, the parking lot can be a long way to the front door, especially for someone who is older or is not feeling well. Shuttle drivers get patients and families to our front doors quickly and safely.

Arts therapy helpers and dog therapy. Music and art therapy can bring great peace to our patients, and licensed dog therapy provides unconditional love to those who just want to pet or hug a four-legged friend.

Grief helpers. While we have some paid chaplains in our facilities, the needs are too great to do it alone. Our volunteers include chaplains and just caring folks who want to make sure that people in their final days have companionship and someone to talk with.

Emergency Department helpers. It takes critical thinking and a caring heart to help families in crisis situations. Our volunteers in the emergency room are up to the task, ensuring people have comfort items like blankets and water as they wait for care.

Gift shop and thrift store volunteers. Gift shops need volunteers to stay open, and some of our facilities have thrift stores operating to raise funds for needed supplies.

To learn more about volunteering, visit our webpage or call your local SSM Health hospital.

This press release was produced by SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.