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For the past three years Judy Weidner has helped to calm frazzled nerves and provide vital information to the families and friends in the surgical family waiting room at UF Health Shands Hospital. For Weidner, “just being helpful in any way” to often-exhausted families who have sometimes traveled long distances provides satisfaction for her, as well.
Irene Kellner then spent some time with me while she made her rounds as a Patient Advocate Liaison (PAL) volunteer in the Emergency Department. As Kellner walked the halls of the various units there, she checked in on patients, assessed their situations and did what she could to fill any needs — whether that meant bringing someone socks or blankets, adjusting the lighting or simply offering a reassuring smile and words of encouragement. “I love talking with people,” Kellner said. “So when someone asked me if I might be interested in volunteering here, I thought maybe I did have something I could give. I thought it might be a great experience. It is. Besides, with my kids gone and husband working, I was home alone and spending way too much time on the computer, which was not good. I was bored. Not anymore.” The final part of my day was shared with Judy Weidner in the Surgical Family Waiting Room, where she deftly handled calls for families who were anxiously awaiting any news on loved ones, while answering as many questions as possible and keeping visitors informed and comfortable. This is a bit of a quieter role at the hospital, but one uniquely suited to Weidner, who 11 years ago sat in a similar room, waiting while her husband underwent surgery, thinking about how much she appreciated the volunteers there. “I thought, ‘When I retire I’d like to do that for others,’” Weidner said. “Now I do. This work is not only beneficial to the people you are helping, but for yourself as well. And I always feel good at the end of the day. There is satisfaction in giving.” >> THE REWARDS According to the hospital’s website, the benefits of volunteering at UF Health include: “making a positive impact on the community, making a difference in someone’s life, gaining work and life experiences, meeting new friends and forming lasting relationships, building self-esteem and self-confidence, experiencing diversity, exploring career opportunities, and broadening skill set and knowledge.” Speak with the volunteers there, however, and they will add a few rewards not included in that list. Some dividends are hard for them to put into words. “This place is why I am who I am and where I am,” said Charlotte Dragstedt, who at age 90 has volunteered at UF Health for 40 years. “I have friends here, a support network, a purpose and valuable interaction. Every time I come I can’t get over how many people I know here. I try my best to help everyone. If I can’t do anything else, I can give people a friendly smile.”
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August 2014
seniortimesmagazine.com