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| Volunteer Joan Rucci handles outpatient surgery phone calls at Gettysburg Hospital. In the right photo, volunteers Ted Kraft, left, and Don Reigart, right, take the Munch Mobile around to various areas of York Hospital. The three are part of WellSpan’s 1,300 volunteers, who are being recognized during National Volunteer Week. |
“I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”
Albert Schweitzer
“Volunteers are the only people on earth who reflect this nation’s compassion, unselfish caring, patience and just plain love for one another.”
Erma Bombeck
Don Reigart said the three months between the time he retired and when he started volunteering at York Hospital were among the longest three months of his life.
“I knew I needed to do something after I retired,” said Reigart, who has been a volunteer for 18 months. “Volunteering keeps me busy, it’s very rewarding and I really enjoy it.”
Reigart helps staff the Munch Mobile on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. He handles At Your Service concierge requests on Wednesdays.
Reigart is one of more than 1,300 WellSpan volunteers. Last year, they contributed more than 130,000 hours, valued at $2.8 million.
Although volunteers contribute year-round, this week (April 15-21) is designated as National Volunteer Recognition Week.
Volunteers enhance the patient experience
“Volunteers are one of WellSpan’s most valuable resources,” said Christi Brown, director, volunteer services. “Their contributions go far beyond anything you can measure. They definitely enhance the patient experience.”
Most volunteers find that volunteering is a win/win situation. It benefits them, staff members and patients.
“I look forward to coming to the hospital,” said Reigart. “I was thinking about getting a part-time job, but not if it conflicts with my volunteer schedule. I don’t want to give this up.”
Joan Rucci, patient advocate for the outpatient surgery unit at Gettysburg Hospital, retired as a scheduling coordinator for Johns Hopkins Hospital.
“Since retiring, I’ve always wanted to get back into health care,” she said. “Being a volunteer gives me the opportunity to make someone’s day a little brighter, and I leave feeling like I’ve made a difference.”
She and her husband have been patients at Gettysburg Hospital. They had such positive experiences that they wanted to be part of the environment.
Ted Kraft wanted to give back to York Hospital after his wife died four years ago. “The nurses treated my wife like gold,” he said. “York Hospital took such good care of her, I felt like I owed it to them to volunteer. Plus, I needed something to keep me busy.”
Kraft volunteers on the Munch Mobile on Tuesdays and Fridays. “I like traveling around to different parts of the hospital and getting to know staff members,” he said. “Volunteering has been extremely rewarding and satisfying for me.”