Volunteers lend their time, skills, and warmth to help visitors and staff across all departments at Summit Healthcare.
“I AM ONLY one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.”
Jill Stansberry, the Director of Volunteer Services at Summit Healthcare, includes this variation on a quote from Edward Everett Hale in each of her newsletters. The quote captures the mission of our 150 volunteers, who donate more than 22,000 hours of their time every year to help patients and local community members both inside and outside the medical center.
A Bit of Everything
Volunteers do not perform clinical tasks, such as measuring blood pressure or taking patients’ temperatures, but they do help in almost all departments of the medical center, from Human Resources and Information Technology to Cardiac Pulmonary Rehabilitation and the Emergency Department.
Some volunteers help patients feel more comfortable in the IV Therapy Department by giving them water and keeping them company while they undergo treatment. Volunteers in the Emergency Department help disinfect rooms in preparation for the next patient.
“Volunteers also build connections directly with patients through our pet therapy teams,” Jill says. “Registered therapy dogs help patients in the Cancer Center find peace and comfort during chemotherapy. They do rounds in other departments as well.”
Certified chaplain volunteers also provide spiritual guidance for Summit Healthcare patients and visitors.
For volunteers with unique skills, there are plenty of opportunities to show off their talents while lifting spirits and helping others.
“We have a team of crafters who make about 1,300 heart-shaped pillows for surgery patients every year,” Jill says. “All of our volunteers who make flower arrangements for the gift shop are actually professionally trained, so the arrangements are beautiful and look like you bought them at a flower shop.”
Community Service
While you’ll typically find volunteers helping patients, you may also see them at local events, such as the community health fair, blood drives, and the annual Tour of the White Mountains organized by Epic Rides.
“We run one of the largest aid stations during the Tour of the White Mountains,” Jill says. “Many of our volunteers also help with our annual Dark Skies & Black Ties Gala.”
From teenagers to nonagenarians, the diverse group of volunteers at Summit Healthcare is dedicated to caring for others both in person and behind the scenes, and they look forward to welcoming new members.
Learn more about available volunteer opportunities at Summit Healthcare.
