On Flower Detail At Morristown Memorial

Sometimes, something as simple as a bouquet of flowers can bring a smile to a person's face.

And, not just for the ones receiving them.

Morristown Memorial Hospital has numerous volunteer opportunities for anyone interested and available. These range from working at the information desk to being a courier, to going around the facilities delivering flowers to patients.

Morristown Patch Editor John Dunphy went to Morristown Memorial Friday, Sept. 17, to volunteer in the maternity ward, delivering flowers to new mothers. Along the way, he met some other volunteers, including Stephanie Ramakrishnan and David Shang, both seniors at Ridge High School in Basking Ridge.

They are not the only ones participating. "The hospital has a wonderful, very robust volunteer program," said Beth Upham, manager of volunteer services and manager of pastoral care at Morristown Memorial Hospital. "We have over 1,000 volunteers today, and we're always looking for more, particularly adults."

There are about 800 adult volunteers and 200 child volunteers, ages 14-18, Upham said. The oldest volunteers are in their early 90s.

"People are looking to make a difference in their community, and volunteering in the health care industry is a wonderful way to make a difference like that," she said. 

Volunteers work at the hospital seven days a week, allowing nurses to better care for their patients, instead of having to deal with other tasks, Upham said.

Applications to volunteer are taken online. For more information on how to volunteer call 973-971-5475, or visit http://www.atlantichealth.org and click on "Ways to Help."