Volunteers are a vital part of the patient experience at Horizon Health, according to Julia Brooks.
She’s the Manager of Volunteer Resources, Auxiliaries and Alumnae for Horizon Health in the Saint John Area.
Brooks says the 3,000 volunteers, ranging in age from 15 to 95-years old are involved in many programs, and areas.
“Such as friendly visiting, to pet therapy, to helping on the palliative care units, to helping the Auxiliaries in the gift shop, being greeters in the main lobby, and helping patients get their connections to their appointments,” says Brooks.
Brooks says the volunteers don’t do any medical care.
“They’re here to enhance the experience for the patients and their families while they stay here,” says Brooks.
She says the volunteers are often both the first and last impression on the public.
“Without them here greeting the families and helping put their minds at ease while they’re here for some difficult situations,” says Brooks. “I think it just kinda helps everything flow a little bit easier for the patients and their families.”
This past week was National Volunteer Week.
Horizon celebrates #NationalVolunteerWeek Thank you to our Horizon Volunteers who strengthen our community. https://t.co/0xlutxkPia
— Horizon Health (@HorizonHealthNB) April 11, 2016
