Volunteer Services: Making Things Happen

• Gives teddy bears to children in Pediatrics and Outpatient Surgery.
• Car Seat Program, provided with the help of the Kiwanis Club, to provide infant car seats when needed.  Criteria must be met.
• Surgical Pillows provided to patients who have undergone major surgery.
• Baby Memory Boxes, provided to parents who have lost an infant in the hospital.  The Memory Box is a keepsake containing a baby outfit that can be used for burial, picture frame and place to put a print of the baby's hand and a lock of hair.  During this sad time, the Memory Box provides some small measure of comfort to the grieving parents.
• Contribute funds to update and purchase new medical equipment for the hospital.
• Purchase pictures to decorate patient rooms.
• Scholarships awarded to teen volunteers who have served at Baptist Regional Medical Center for over four years and worked over 1,000 hours.

Our volunteers also staff the Surgery Information Desk and the Patient Information Desk. They deliver flowers and newspapers to patients, escort patients and families, fill water pitchers for patients, prepare patient information packets and perform clerical duties and other tasks.

Last year, volunteers gave 6,654 hours of service to the hospital. Each hour is worth $14.83 for a total value of $98,678.  In addition to contributing their time, many volunteers are members of the Baptist Regional Medical Center Auxiliary.  Auxiliary members hold various events to raise money for the hospital.  Funds are used to purchase new medical equipment.  Some of the items include:

• R2 Image Checker - used for early detection of breast cancer
• Handicapped Accessible Van - used to provide transportation for our rehabilitation patients during their therapeutic outings.

Junior Volunteer Program for Teens

Baptist Regional Medical Center offers the Junior Volunteer Program for teens ages 14 through 18.  Junior volunteers contribute many hours to the hospital by helping out in many different areas.  The program provides teens with the experience of working in a hospital, as well as a good reference for their first jobs or college applications.

Becoming a Volunteer

To become a Volunteer, you will need to complete an application.  Applications are available at the Patient Information Desk in the Paul Parker Pavilion or one can be mailed to your home address.  Once your application has been received, it will be processed and you will be contacted to set up a time for an interview.  During the interview, we will discuss what position and schedule work best for you.  At this time, we will also schedule you to attend the hospital orientation program and to have a TB test.  Our volunteers take pride in their work and are committed to be valuable members of the healthcare team.

Calendar of Scheduled Fund Raisers

For information on how you can become a member of the Volunteer Services Department at Baptist Regional Medical Center, call (606) 523-8768.