Reaping the Rewards of Volunteering at Merit Health Biloxi
7/26/2017
Biloxi, MS - July 26, 2017
It’s refreshing to see that the spirit of volunteerism is still alive in many communities. Yet when it comes to ‘me’ actually getting out there, a multitude of excuses arise: the commitment and time factor, age, and fear of not being able to make certain days. It’s easy to find excuses for just about anything. But why should volunteering be a significant aspect of one’s life?
“Volunteering is about taking part in the world – no matter what the age – and giving back to the community that is there for us each day,” said Merit Health’s Volunteer Services Coordinator Wanda Shaw. “It’s about making the planet a better place to live and, believe it or not, any small step helps.”
Some people simply want to do something good for others, and there are those who want to do something for themselves, such as learn a new skill or meet new people. Still others were at one point in their lives recipients of volunteerism and truly want to give back.
Merit Health Biloxi offers a wide variety of opportunities for all ages. To discover which volunteer opportunity is right for you, review the volunteer positions at Merit Health Biloxi to identify which positions match your interests. Current positions are listed in the box below. More information about our volunteer program can be found at www.merithealthbiloxi.com.
At Merit Health Biloxi volunteers are utilized to assist patients and staff members throughout the hospital. “Our volunteer application will capture an individual’s areas of interest, which will help with placement,” Shaw explained. “Our volunteers add a personal touch to help provide comfort to patients and family members, as well as provide service and support to hospital staff.”
Currently, Merit Health Biloxi has approximately 50 volunteers who give close to over 7000 hours per year in our departments. Tasks include everything from office work, to assisting patients with checking in or with comforting them in the emergency department. Merit Health Biloxi volunteers also run the hospital’s gift shop. Sometimes, volunteering means stocking supplies or serving food to employees for a special event. “You don’t have to have a specific talent. Jobs can include collating for mailings and answering phones – something everyone can do. We have volunteers with limited mobility who work our surgery waiting desk or help in other areas of the hospital,” Shaw explained. Every summer Merit Health Biloxi also runs a Jr. Volunteer Program. Some of these volunteers have even gone on to pursue careers in which they eventually work at our hospital. One of our former students is now the interim director of the emergency department.
Volunteers receive a personal satisfaction knowing they’ve done something for someone else in need. “They may have originally come in wanting the benefit of keeping busy during retirement or after losing a loved one, but we see a transformation over time as they truly love helping others,” Shaw said.
Volunteering can be personally satisfying, challenging and fun when one uses his or her skills, talents and free time to benefit others. It shifts the daily self-survival and interest focus to others who aren’t as fortunate. With the right perspective, one can’t give without also receiving back. For more information on the volunteer program at Merit Health Biloxi, contact Wanda Shaw, Volunteer Program Coordinator at 228-436-1228.
Current Volunteer Positions
Please contact Wanda Shaw, Volunteer Services Coordinator, at 228-436-1228 for more information and to schedule an appointment to learn more about the volunteer program.
- Answering phones and other general office duties
- Assist with hospital tours and special events
- Greet, assist and comfort patients, family and visitors
- Deliver magazines, books, flowers to patients
- Errands for units
- Patient escort within various areas of the hospital
Merit Health Biloxi is a 153 bed acute care facility with an additional 45 psychiatric beds located in Biloxi, Mississippi. Our mission is the delivery of compassionate and high quality health care services that improve the quality of life for our patients, physicians and the communities we serve.
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