Yes!  Our staff is known for their caring approach and personal touch and that same devotion to our patients and visitors flows through every one of our volunteers.  They wrap around every individual and help however they can.  We are so fortunate that members of our community think so highly of NMC and believe so deeply in our mission that they freely give their own time in support of what we do.  This is part of what makes NMC a true community hospital!

In late May, we brought together our volunteers for a wonderful recognition dinner, celebrating their individual contributions and the volunteer program’s 37^th year of operation.  Our volunteers gave an incredible 24,000 hours of service in the past year.  That is approximately the impact of 12 full time workers with a contribution worth approximately $558,960!  At the dinner, Volunteer Services Supervisor Katherine Winchester highlighted the growing nature of the volunteer support at NMC, with total hours growing from 22,000 last year and 20,000 the year before.  The event featured recognition for volunteers who had passed milestones in their service ranging from 50 hours to a remarkable 10,000 hours by Susan Hartman.  This time is such a gift to our patients and our organization.

Volunteers actively contribute to efforts all across our organization.  They staff the information desks at the Main Entrance and at the entrances of the Medical Office Building and Cobblestone Health Commons.  They are so helpful in greeting our patients and visitors, making them feel at ease, and answering their questions.  Even before a patient or visitor reaches the door, they may have already encountered Veterans’ Valet service as they  shuttle patients from their cars to the entrances and assist with valet parking.  It is an honor to have these veterans who have served our country now serving our community by facilitating ease of access on our campus.  Just inside our main entrance, you will be delighted to find our newly expanded gift shop staffed by our volunteers.  As you move through our halls, you will not only see volunteers guiding patients and visitors to their destinations, you may well see our courier volunteers who transport important materials from department to department to keep everything moving efficiently.  If your travels within NMC take you to our Courtyard Café, you will likely see volunteers helping with customer service.  These are just a few of so many examples of volunteer service that extend into patient care and behind the scenes as a living, breathing extension of our mission of exceptional care.

When we thank our volunteers, they are quick to thank us in return, as they say they get more  from volunteering than they give.  They speak of the contentment and fulfillment that comes giving of oneself to others.  One of our volunteers recently quipped that “I am pretty fond of this place”.  Volunteer service at NMC is such a win-win for all involved.  In addition to thanking our volunteers, I also want to thank Katherine Winchester who provides such caring leadership to the service.  It is touching for me to see our volunteers in action under her guidance and I am so pleased to acknowledge these tremendous contributions.  Together, we share a true sense of community.

Feeling valued and purposeful is a key factor in achieving and maintaining good health!  Would you like to be more involved in the community?  To make new friends?  To connect with others and make a difference?  To help a dedicated team on our mission to provide exceptional care for every patient?  If so, we would love to talk to you about how you might enjoy volunteering here at NMC.  You can also learn more on our website at https://www.northwesternmedicalcenter.org/for-our-community/volunteer/become-a-volunteer/  To explore this opportunity to share your time and talents as part of the NMC family, please call Katherine Winchester at 524-1055 or email her at [email protected].

There is no gift more rewarding than making a difference in the lives of others.

— Jill Berry Bowen, NMC’s Chief Executive Officer