St. Vincent Volunteers Create Healing Environment for Patients and Caregivers
St. Vincent Healthcare volunteers have a long legacy of supporting the care of our patients, welcoming our visitors and uplifting our caregivers. They play such an important role in creating the healing environment at our hospital.
Through her more than a decade of service to St. Vincent and our community, Judy has had many meaningful experiences from sharing countless comforting smiles and warm words with visitors whose loved ones are in our care or helping care for infants in our NICU. She shared that one of her most memorable moments was sharing time with a patient as he was approaching end of life through her involvement in our ‘no one dies alone’ program.
“I was sitting with a patient in the ICU whose family was unable to travel to the hospital, I held his hand and told him that ‘you are not alone, he squeezed my hand and then he passed,” she shared.
She went on to share why she continues to serve as a volunteer, “I have been very blessed to be part of the volunteer program. I have met so many wonderful people, including other volunteers and outstanding staff. I have enjoyed making those personal connections with patients.”
Bill may be new to our volunteer team, but has a lot of experience working with our organization. After more than 30 years of working at St. Vincent in engineering and biomed, Bill retired in 2020. But after a year and a half, Bill missed the work and missed the people. Recently, Bill joined as a volunteer supporting his old team and helping out one day a week in the department that he used to lead.
“I have been calibrating and checking in new equipment,” he shared.” I have enjoyed being in the shop and it’s nice to see the team.”
When asked why he decided to share his talents and experience as a volunteer he shared, “I like what St. Vincent stands for, and after all they gave to me, it’s nice to give back.”
Interested in volunteering at St. Vincent Healthcare? Learn more here https://www.sclhealth.org/locations/st-vincent-healthcare/ways-to-give/volunteer/ or contact Amy Melius at volunteer services at 406-237-3376 or amy.melius@sclhealth.org.