A Chance to Serve Is Its Own Reward

By Sara Reeve and Yvonne Baetz on June 25, 2009 7:58 AM

Judy Stark gets a natural high coming to USC Norris Cancer Hospital. The cancer survivor has been a volunteer at USC Norris for five years and loves her work because of “the endorphins it creates.”

Stark is one of 330 people who volunteer at USC Norris Cancer Hospital and USC University Hospital.

“I look forward to coming here,” Stark said. “I came back here to volunteer because when I was a patient they treated me like family.”

Both hospitals have thriving volunteer programs with student and adult volunteers. All volunteers receive training and orientation covering topics such as patient privacy, safety and the hospital environment.

Volunteers can work in a variety of departments throughout the hospitals, including administration, retail and clinical. Some volunteer groups, such as the South Pasadena Women’s Club and the Theta Chi Epsilon sorority, make gifts and favors for patients.

Kai Tramiel, director of volunteer services for USC University Hospital, said, “The value of the experience is the symbiotic relationship of it — we get something out of it and they get something out of it. Their service and dedication, skills and energy allow staff to focus on their core essential duties.”

People can volunteer as individuals or as a member of a group. Groups currently involved with the hospitals include the USC University Hospital Guild, Francisco Bravo Magnet High School and the Norris Cancer Center Auxiliary.

In addition to volunteers working in traditional patient service areas, USC University Hospital has two groups of volunteer musicians who perform for patients —Community Outreach Through Distribution of the Arts and MusicHeals.

The volunteers range in age from 16 to 99 years old.

Ruth Dunn, 99, is known around USC Norris Cancer Hospital as the “Lavender Lady” for the lavender sachets she makes and delivers by hand to patients. Dunn has volunteered at the hospital for more than 24 years and was recently honored for her 6,500 hours of volunteer service.

“We are really looking for people with a high level of energy and enthusiasm for the work,” Tramiel said. “Our volunteers need to be flexible and compassionate — we can train them in everything else.”

For Earl Strum, chief of anesthesiology at USC University Hospital, volunteers play a vital role in the day-to-day operations of the department.

“In my department, the volunteers we are privileged to have are highly motivated pre-med students from USC, and they learn the pre-operative process of anesthesiology,” Strum said.

He added, “They stock carts with supplies, answer phones and move equipment. This type of work helps the staff attend to the important needs of the patient being prepared for surgery.”

He noted that the volunteers add another aspect of caring for the patients. “It’s an even more friendly place with them here.”

For information about volunteering at USC University Hospital, call Kai Tramiel at (323) 442-8436. For USC Norris Cancer Hospital, call Alicia Syres at (323) 865-3169.

Orientation and training dates vary throughout the year.

TAGS: community programs

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