Celebrating the Value of Volunteers
National Volunteer Week April 16 – 20, 2018
April 18, 2018
A friendly visit. A warm blanket. A cup of cold water.
These are just a few of the countless ways Volunteers contribute to patient and family centred care at the Hospital every day.
While they represent a wide array of ages and backgrounds in our community, including high school, college, and university students, and adults, they all have one thing in common – they make a tremendous impact on the experiences of patients and families from all over Northwestern Ontario.
They come to give back to the Hospital; learn about a career in health care; meet new people and make new friends; support their community’s Hospital in an advisory capacity, or by helping out with fundraising.
Hundreds of Volunteers give generously of their time in departments and services throughout the Hospital – the Information Desk, OR Family Waiting Area, Pacemaker Clinic, Rehabilitation Transport, Healthy Lifestyles Rehabilitation, Seasons Gift Shop (including the Seasons Gift Cart and the Jewellery Gallery), Volunteer Association, Regional Cancer Care Northwest, Surgical Day Care, Pre-Admission, Renal Services, Emergency Department, Bariatric Centre, and the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP), to name a few.
Patient Family Advisors volunteer to share their valuable insights and first-hand knowledge of how the Hospital’s services impact patients. Patient Family Advisors help us meet the needs and priorities of our patients, families and community. They have direct input and influence the policies, programs and practices that shape the care and services that people receive.
Volunteers are also critical to the success of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. They help make a healthier Northwestern Ontario by providing administrative assistance, assisting with special events, and selling raffle tickets at various locations throughout the region.
Volunteers are the backbone of any organization and we couldn’t imagine what our Hospital would be like without them. They are an essential link to the community and we value what they do to make the patient experience better.
As we celebrate National Volunteer Week 2018, we want to thank all of the volunteers who help make a difference for all of our patients and families.
During National Volunteer Week, and all year long, we say THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!