UI Hospitals and Clinics Honors Volunteers
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Jean Reed, associate director of Volunteer Services, says there is no "typical" volunteer. "We have so many different types of people who are drawn to contribute here. I guess the one thing we all have in common is our goal of improving the experience for our patients and their families. Volunteers of all different ages, races, education and skill levels work together here to make that possible."

Much like the process the staff with patient contact goes through, a new hospital volunteer attends a general hospital orientation session, completes health screenings and background checks.

Volunteers are scheduled at the hospital from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., working in departments throughout the hospital and clinics, from the Center for Disabilities and Development to the Ronald McDonald House. There are volunteers who contribute from home, making baby hats for newborns, outfits for preemies, or sock monkey dolls for our pediatric patients.

"We ask our volunteers for a minimum six-month commitment to a weekly volunteer shift," Reed says. "That varies depending on the assignment. We ask new volunteers to give a minimum of three hours per week for at least six months. We have staff who might contribute over a noon hour each week, or some volunteers who spend 20-30 hours a week here in various roles.

"There are nearly 100 volunteer positions to choose from. We have volunteers who:

• Visit patients
• Help in the Gift Shop, Salon, Patients' Library, Cancer Information Service
• Serve coffee
• Deliver flowers
• Tutor children
• Serve families in the Surgical Intensive Care Waiting area
• Cuddle babies

"It sounds like a cliché, but if you have an interest, we very likely have a place you could utilize it here," Reed says.

Not all volunteers know where they want to volunteer in the hospitals, and that's what we are here to help with, Reed says. "New volunteers spend time learning about the different opportunities available so we can help them select the best possible match. And a lot of volunteers try different things here during their time with us as well--there is just so much variety available.

"We are always looking for new, caring community members to join our team! If you are interested, please call 319-356-2515.

"I can't tell you how many times a volunteer has said that they get back much more than they give here. That's what it's all about--adding value to your own life as well as the lives of others. And we would love to talk with you about the opportunities available at our hospital," Reed says.

UI Hospitals and Clinics Honors Volunteers

During National Volunteer Week, April 23-29, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics will honor all the volunteers who have donated their time and energy to the hospital through this 32-year-old program.

Volunteers play an important role at the state’s only academic medical center.

“In a typical day at the information desk,” explains volunteer Carl Christensen, “we’ll see people who are ill and frightened coming from small towns around the state--towns that perhaps have a smaller population than this hospital. They’re under a lot of stress; they don’t know where they need to go; and they need someone to just take a minute and smooth it out for them.”

The reasons for volunteering are as diverse as the volunteers themselves.

Employee Mike Murphy explains, “Having been a patient made me want to volunteer for this organization because I realized what a wonderful place it is. To be a volunteer is really special to me, because it’s another way to just kind of say thank you to the University of Iowa for giving me the life that I’ve had, and I appreciate it.”

The difference volunteers make in the lives of patients and families is immeasurable.

Gwen Senio, child life specialist with University of Iowa Children's Hospital, explains: “One of the things that we really cherish in a volunteer is when we have someone that stays a long time. They get to know our families--the children look forward to seeing them.”

In 2005, 1,283 volunteers donated 78,468 hours of service to UI Hospitals and Clinics. In addition to providing more than $20,000 in scholarships to high school and college student volunteers, more than $150,000 was contributed by Volunteer Services to support programs and services that benefit patients and families at UI Hospitals and Clinics.

“If you want to do something fulfilling that really adds meaning to your life,” encourages volunteer Barbara Davis, “UI Hospitals and Clinics is a wonderful place to volunteer.”

For more information:

Volunteer Services

Become a Volunteer