Volunteers are important part of the Memorial team

Steve Prince initially volunteered at Memorial Hospital because he wanted to volunteer somewhere, and the hospital was conveniently located within walking distance of his home.

“But I continue to volunteer because I enjoy the interaction with both the public and the medical staff,” Steve says.

He assists patients and their families in the surgery waiting room and in escort services. “Those jobs must be done by someone, and if volunteers can perform them, the staff has more time to devote to medical care,” he says.

His favorite moment as a volunteer came on an extraordinarily busy day in the surgery waiting room.

Steve received a call at home, asking if he could come in to help out, even though he wasn’t on the volunteer schedule at that time. He generously obliged.

“It wasn’t a difficult day, but late in the morning a management person came through the door behind me and hugged me,” Steve recalls. “That moment stands out, and I have always felt appreciated by the staff. The nurses and doctors make me feel like part of the team and it’s a very good feeling.”