Biweekly Briefing Articles

Hospital Volunteers Are the Human Connection to Healing

Early in my career I was a hospital volunteer. As a pre-med student at the University of Arizona, I volunteered for hundreds of hours in the emergency department and hospice unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tucson, Ariz. It was an extraordinary experience that opened my eyes to the compassion and caring that volunteers bring to hospitals. I also saw firsthand the challenges that clinicians face every day. My time as a volunteer enhanced my appreciation of the health care system at a key point early in my career. I was inspired to continue helping people.

That’s why I was thrilled to address the California Volunteer Leadership Conference in San Diego on Sept. 16. It was an opportunity to share my appreciation for hospital volunteers and those who work with them. It was also a chance to provide an overview of the state of California hospitals as we face financial challenges, worker shortages, discharge delays, and more. I also shared that the health care field is working to understand new technology, especially artificial intelligence, which will lead to fundamental — and hopefully positive — changes in how hospitals provide care.

But with all the challenges, changes, and opportunities, it is important to note that volunteers are — and always will be — essential to hospitals and patients. Volunteers are the heartbeat of the hospital. As we look to the possibilities offered by technological innovation in health care, it is crucial that volunteers continue to be the consistent human connection for patients — that first smile they see upon entering a hospital, comforting words in stressful moments, a listening ear, and so much more. Volunteers remind us of the profound impact that a human connection can have on healing. It was an honor to be with all the hospital volunteers at the conference and to show my continued support for their important work. My time as a volunteer has stayed with me through my career and has continually inspired me to advocate for the essential role volunteers play in the health care system. Thank you to the volunteers at the conference and across California. We celebrate and support your invaluable contributions.