Murphy Medical Center to Honor Volunteers

Betsy Lewis

They visit nursing home residents and share stories. They answer busy telephones and file hundreds of charts. They deliver good cheer to a patient's bedside. They run a thrift shop for hospice. And, they help patients and their families through difficult times.

Murphy Medical Center volunteers have been a "priceless treasure" for patients, their families, and the hospital staff since the hospital's inception in 1979. "These caring people are giving back to their community by volunteering time to help sick people during their most difficult time. For that, we are saying 'thank you'," said Murphy Medical Center's Volunteer Services Director Mary Carol Campbell.

According to Campbell, approximately 80 Murphy Medical Center volunteered to help patients and hospital staff in 2007. Volunteers serve in many departments, running the gamut from transferring patients in the emergency room to managing the hospice thrift shop named Granny's Attic. Fingers fly as volunteers knit tiny caps for newborn babies at Murphy Medical Center.

Jean and Denora

Volunteers give their time for many different reasons. Volunteers Grace Carringer and Emma Buelow both volunteer in the Same Day Care Unit at Murphy Medical Center where the staff prepares patients for surgery and provides post-operative care. Some days the staff may have as many as 25 patients to prepare for surgery and care for in recovery.

When asked what she liked about volunteering, Mrs. Carringer stated, "The Same Day Care (SDC) personnel is so busy that I know any small thing I can do to help is truly appreciated."

"The SDC nurses are great to work with," adds Emma Buelow. "There are many benefits to volunteering at Murphy Medical Center besides working with nice people and assisting patients. The hospital takes care of their volunteers and recognizes and values the contributions of a volunteer's time and energy."

"The SDC unit is sincerely grateful for the terrific assistance our volunteers provide each day," states SDC department coordinator Debbie Curtis. "Our volunteers are dedicated and take pride in their responsibilities."

The Smiths

Penny Johnson, a Good Shepherd hospice volunteer, also receives joy from her giving. "I like giving back to the community, giving support and cheer to patients and their families, spending time with someone who is alone, and putting smiles on faces when I take my dog into the nursing home." Penny is also beginning a watercolor class for nursing home residents.

"I enjoy seeing newborn babies in the hats that I knit," says volunteer Patrician Hembree. Several talented volunteers knit baby hats and blankets. These are gifts for the Murphy Medical Center newborns to take home from the hospital.

Many volunteer opportunities are available at Murphy Medical Center. Volunteers are encouraged to choose a schedule that is convenient for them. Campbell says the volunteers' enormous contributions enable the medical and clinical staff to provide better care for patients.

Murphy Medical Center will acknowledge the contributions of volunteers with an appreciation luncheon on April 29th during National Volunteer Appreciation Week. Anyone interested in leaning more about volunteer opportunities at Murphy Medical Center may call Mary Carol Campbell at 828-835-3667.