MedCentral Volunteer Services

Phone: 419-526-8616

Volunteers play an invaluable role in the success of MedCentral Health System. Each year they touch the lives of thousands of patients and their families. Our volunteers enable us each day to strengthen the services and care we provide our patients and visitors.

Volunteer Opportunities
People volunteer for a variety of reasons:

To make a difference

To meet new people

To help others

To keep busy

For a renewed sense of purpose

To give back to the community

To explore a career in health care

For volunteer hours toward a college degree

Whatever your reason for wanting to volunteer, we can provide you with a stimulating environment where you will enjoy a sense of self-fulfillment.

Opportunities to share your time and talents are available at six different MedCentral locations, including two hospitals. Volunteer opportunities include:

Clerical: Answer telephone, type, file and perform general office duties.

Couriers: Transport mail and supplies throughout the health system.

Escorts: Take patients from registration to their destinations.

Gift Shops: Mansfield Hospital Gift Shop and Shelby Hospital Gift Shop are operated with volunteer staffing.

Front lobby/information desk: Answer questions, greet and direct visitors.

Emergency Department: Run errands, stock supplies and transport patients. Liaison between patients, families and physicians.

Nursing Services: Help staff on various nursing units.

Pastoral Care: Help provide spiritual and emotional support to patients and their families.

Patient Services: Deliver mail, flowers, and other items. Update families of surgical patients.

Physical and Occupational Therapy Departments: Assist therapists.

For more information on volunteer opportunities, send e-mail to Volunteer Services Director Jackie Wasilewski at JWasilewski@medcentral.org; or call 419-526-8081.

MedCentral Hospice
Those who volunteer for MedCentral Hospice can help patients in a variety of ways - by offering transportation, writing letters and through limited patient care. They can also provide relief for the patient's caregiver. Most importantly, a volunteer can be simply a friendly visitor who provides a smile and a listening ear. Typically, volunteers donate 2 to 4 hours per week to a hospice family. While they do not administer medication or provide skilled medical care, like changing bandages, they are sometimes able to provide limited patient care, such as adjusting the patient's bed. For more information on becoming a volunteer for MedCentral hospice contact Brenda Ewers via email at BEwers@medcentral.org, or call 419-520-2975.

Teen Program
Our teen volunteer program was developed to give students considering a career in a medical field an opportunity to volunteer in the hospital environment. Three programs run throughout the school year and summer. You must be at least 14 years old and have completed the eighth grade to participate. Applications are available through area high school guidance counselors; or contact Volunteer Services Manager Kathy Hovland via e-mail at KHovland@medcentral.org, or call 419-526-8616.

Shelby Hospital Guild
With 400-plus members, the Guild supports MedCentral Shelby Hospital through various fund-raising activities throughout the year. The Guild's events include book fairs, jewelry sales, summer garden tours, Breakfast with Santa, Holiday Home Tours (held biannually) and a community Christmas celebration. Guild meetings are held on the second Monday of the month, January through May and September through November. Annual membership is $5. For more information, send e-mail to Monica Cirata at mcirata@medcentral.org; or call the Shelby Volunteer Services Office at 419-342-1704.

Mansfield Hospital Auxillary
With more than 200 members, the auxiliary supports MedCentral/Mansfield Hospital through various fund-raising activities, most notably the Mansfield Hospital Gift Shop. Our members provide about 10,000 volunteer hours annually to the gift shop, making it our biggest fund-raising effort. For more information, call Mansfield Hospital Gift Shop Manager Pam Graffice at 419-526-8965; or send e-mail to giftshop@medcentral.org.