Retired Traverse City math teacher Pam Forton looks forward to her four-hour shift as a patient escort on Fridays at Munson Medical Center.
She arrives around 10:30 a.m., picks up her special phone that alerts her to patient discharges, and soon is on her way to a hospital floor with a wheelchair to pick up a discharged patient and escort them to the hospital’s front door for their ride home.
“People are really happy to see me come to take them home,” she said. “Ninety-nine percent of the time I hear about the wonderful care they received and what wonderful staff they had. That is really nice to hear. It’s busy, but that is what I like.”
Munson Medical Center Volunteers have immediate openings for several different roles, including patient escorts, ambassadors, Emergency Department volunteers, and others. Munson Healthcare Manager of Volunteer Services Theresa Stachnik said the COVID-19 pandemic necessarily meant volunteers were not able to serve at the hospital. But restrictions were lifted last year and volunteers continue to play an important role.
“We have many opportunities available for those who want to help the hospital and interact with people,” Stachnik said. Various four-hour shifts are available Monday through Friday.
All volunteers are asked to consider a six-month commitment. Volunteers go through an orientation program and specific training for their duties.
Forton said she would recommend volunteering for anyone who wants to make a meaningful impact with their time.
“It’s nice to volunteer at something worthwhile,” she said. “My job is not super physical, it’s just pushing a wheelchair. People are happy to see you and they treat you well, that’s kind of nice.”
For more information on these positions or to volunteer, contact Stachnik at (231) 935-7455 or submit an interest form online.