Timmins, ON – Last year alone, 115 volunteers donated more than 2,570 hours to help patients, families and visitors at Timmins and District Hospital (TADH). In addition, many more volunteers contributed their time and energy to sit on the hospital’s Board of Directors, Foundation Board, Advisory Committees, and work in its Auxiliary. Volunteers were acknowledged at an appreciation event held on Tuesday (April 29) at the hospital to mark National Volunteer Week.
Nathalie Chaput, in her red shirt, and golden retriever Mauï, in her red bandana, have been volunteering twice a week at TADH and once a week at the hospital’s St. Mary’s Garden site for more than a year, bringing “puppy love” to patients, caregivers and even staff through the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dogs program. Mauï can adapt to the energy in the room – whether resting her head on a palliative patient’s lap or giving frisky tail wags in pediatrics.
For Chaput, it’s also one way of giving back in her retirement. Twenty-five years ago, TADH helped her battle breast cancer while pregnant with her daughter. Her daughter, now grown, is also part of the TADH team and works as RN in the hospital’s delivery room.
“I know what it was like sitting in that chair in oncology,” she said. “It’s my way of saying thank-you. The hospital staff were phenomenal in every way … I really love volunteering, it makes me feel so good.”
CEO and President Kate Fyfe is grateful to all the volunteers for giving their time and energy to help improve the patient experience: “Volunteers are integral members of a patient’s care team bringing comfort to those undergoing dialysis to helping elderly patients regain mobility and enjoy social connection to providing newborns with essential ‘cuddles and snuggles.’”
Volunteers help patients in different ways, and can be found: providing guidance and greetings to visitors at the front entrance; helping patients in fracture clinics, urology clinics, dialysis unit, and medical units; supporting patients through the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) and in the nursery in the Snuggles and Cuddle program; providing spiritual and emotional care through Pastoral Care Services; and offering pet therapy through St. John Ambulance Therapy Dogs.
“Our volunteers represent diverse cultures, age groups, abilities, and life experiences. Some are students looking ahead to future careers in health care, while others are looking back over the rich life experiences that have equipped them for their role as volunteers,” said Alicia Santamaria, Human Resources Generalist, who organized the celebration.
In addition, volunteers support fundraising through the TADH Foundation and Auxiliary and are integral to providing guidance and feedback to the hospital so it can improve the patient experience.
“We are also thankful for the volunteers who help steer decision making at the hospital through our Board of Directors and provide feedback on our services and care delivery through our Patient and Family Advisory Committee, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Social Accountability and Antiracism Committee, French Language Services Committee and Indigenous Advisory Committee,” said Fyfe.
Quick Facts on Volunteering at TADH:
Our commitment: TADH operates within the traditional lands of the Mattagami First Nation, located in Treaty 9 territory. Our team is committed to building strong, lasting relationships with Indigenous communities as we acknowledge the diversity, history and heritage of Indigenous Peoples in the North.
Photo Captions: Featured photo is of Nathalie Chaput and Maui.
For more information contact TADH’s Communications Team: 705-267-2131 Ext. 2409 or communications@tadh.com
If you or someone you know are feeling overwhelmed and experiencing a mental health crisis, consider calling the Timmins and District Hospital (TADH) Crisis Line at 705-264-3003 or 1-888-340-3003.
The theme of this year’s Patient Experience Week (April 28-May 2) is celebrating the people who make a positive impact.
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