MDH Volunteens Update Candy Stripers

“Candy Stripers” started in 1959 at McDonough District Hospital with a group of high school senior girls volunteering in the coffee shop and gift shop, and delivering flowers. Now known as MDH “Volunteens,” some of the most important roles for young volunteers include giving a helping hand to many of the different departments and warming hearts with a simple smile.

Ruth Ann Willis is the Volunteen Coordinator at McDonough District Hospital, a role she has filled for five and a half years. “The Volunteen program is a chance for kids to receive a great learning experience within a hospital setting, along with an opportunity to meet peers and have fun,” Willis said. “Not only is being a Volunteen a great learning experience, but these young students can observe a future career in the health field.”

During the summer of 2009, the Volunteen program has 42 participants. Half of the 2009 volunteens are returning and the other half are in their first year.

“Interest in the Volunteen program exceeds our capacity,” Willis said. “Although the volunteens are provided with a valuable experience in a hospital setting, there are only a certain number of departments in which they may work, and even those hours are limited in order that more may participate.”

Michelle Kenny is a second year Volunteen from Macomb. She will be a freshman at Macomb High School this fall and is full of energy. Kenny assists in the Day Health Services Program at MDH. She helps with breakfast and lunch, plays games with the elderly, helps with the exercises, and even goes on field trips with them. “I really enjoy the old people because they are fun to be around and they seem happy when the volunteens are around,” Kenny said.

Laura Anderson and Josh Theis are also Volunteens at McDonough District Hospital. They are both first year Volunteens and both have sisters who encouraged them to get involved with the Volunteen program this summer. Like Kenny, Theis and Anderson volunteer in the Day Health Services Program.

Theis also assists with Admitting by taking envelopes to the mail room or delivering cards to patients. Anderson also assists with Lab. Both Theis and Anderson enjoy their departments, but say they enjoy Day Health the best because they are able to interact with the elderly in many different ways. Some of those activities include playing cards, doing crafts, reading, or even playing the Wii ™.

The Volunteen program is for young students to keep busy, meet others, lend a helping hand, and gain a great amount of experience within a hospital setting.

“A lot of the Volunteens at McDonough District Hospital end up pursuing a career within the health field after gaining the great experience of volunteering in the different departments throughout the hospital,” Willis said.

Young adults interested in the Volunteen program at McDonough District Hospital are encouraged to contact Ruth Ann Willis by calling Auxiliary/Volunteer Services at (309) 836-1579.

-Story by Student Intern Alicia Claudon

Pictured, Volunteen, Michelle Kenny (left) enjoys playing cards with Jackson Smith, a Day Health Services participant, and another MDH Volunteen, Drew Baker.