Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.” — Muhammad Ali

We are incredibly fortunate to have many volunteers in the Lifespan hospitals who selflessly give their time to make a difference in the lives of our patients and our staff.

Volunteers are found in many roles and in numerous areas in our hospitals. Whether they are greeting or escorting people, handing out cards or flowers, visiting patients with therapy dogs, or transporting patients, our volunteers are an integral part of our hospitals and have a direct impact on our patients.

Giving the Gift of Time

Last year, Rhode Island Hospital had 643 volunteers, The Miriam had 261 and Newport had 194. These 1,098 volunteers range in age from 14 to into their 90s! In that one year, they worked a total of 41,161 hours at Rhode Island, 31,976 hours at The Miriam, and 29,370 hours at Newport. That’s a grand total of 102,507 hours!

Beyond the Numbers

While we all recognize the valuable contributions of our volunteers, it’s so much more than the amount of time they put into helping others.

 “Volunteers reach out with compassion and empathy and touch people’s lives. They are the extra set of hands the staff wishes they had,” says Jeni Mowry, the manager of volunteer services at The Miriam Hospital.

Jeni’s counterpart at Rhode Island Hospital, Adrianne Walsh, says volunteers provide extra customer service not only to patients but to their loved ones as well. “They provide comfort, distraction and service to patients and their families. They supplement our staff, and they are the icing on the cake,” she says.

Lisa Coble, Newport Hospital’s manager of volunteer services, says, "The volunteers are 100  percent dedicated to making the hospital experience a little bit easier."

It’s Better to Give

Volunteers say the work is its own reward. “The volunteers feel that their time spent here allows them to give back to a place that has made or makes a difference to them. They feel that volunteering gives them purpose, and is inspiring and rewarding in ways they didn’t realize,” Jeni says.

Here’s what some of our volunteers have to say:

When I volunteer at the hospital, it is my moment to ‘"give back" for all the good things I have in my life now. -  Denise B.

I volunteer as a way to show gratitude for the life I have - a happy and healthy one. - Joyce A.

I volunteer at Newport Hospital because it gives me a chance to take on a new challenge, to meet people and make new friends, and to give back. – June L.

I enjoy bringing comfort and compassion to the patients I serve; whether it's an item from the Comfort Cart, a handcrafted card, or by simply wearing crazy holiday attire! - Carol F.

“Every volunteer assignment is a gift to our patients and makes a positive impact on their experience,” Lisa says. So as we celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Week, we thank each and every one of our volunteers. If you would like to consider joining them, here is more information.

 

Lifespan Blog Team

The Lifespan Blog Team is working to provide you with timely and pertinent information that will help keep you and your family happy and healthy.