All Pawtucket All The Time

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR
MEMORIAL HOSPITAL OF RHODE ISLAND’S TEEN TEAM

Back row, left to right, Lynn Foster, Volunteer Coordinator; Lindsey Allenson, Mallory Moniz, Mikayla Valentine, Daniela Alves, Diana Giraldo, Emily Genereux, Jennifer Levin, Angela Gravel, all teen volunteers; and Elaine Gendron, Manager, Central Transportation Department. Kneeling, left to right, Matthew Hawryluk, Jamie Aissis, Lusu Jallah, Tajah Williams, Hanna Yando and Samir Yusuf, all teen volunteers.

Pawtucket, RI – When asked, “Why volunteer?” – 17 year-old, Hanna Yando, said, “It’s an opportunity to better myself.” Hanna, a Seekonk, MA resident, has been a summer teen volunteer for two years.

Left to right, Seekonk, MA resident, Hanna Yando, teen volunteer, and Betty Gallo, CNA/secretary, Surgical Place Recovery Unit. Betty forwards assignments to Hanna.

Last year she worked in the Physical Medicine Department. For the past two months, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., she’s volunteered in the Surgical Place Recovery Unit. Hanna answers telephones, assists with paperwork, organizes supplies and transports patients by wheelchair.

Although she is not sure what she wants to do for work in the future, Hanna said, “Volunteering gives you experience, is good for applying to college and makes you feel good.” Hanna’s mother, a nurse at Hospice Rhode Island, recommended volunteering to her.
Pawtucket resident, Christopher Gaete, 15 years old, is a volunteer in the Central Transportation Department (CT). This is his first year volunteering. “I plan to be a doctor and I want to attend The Alpert Medical School at Brown University,” said Christopher. “Volunteering is a good place to start.”

For the past month, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m. Christopher has volunteered in CT. He transports patients and delivers mail to various departments. Christopher’s friend recommended volunteering to him.

Elaine Gendron, Manager, Central Transportation Department, said, “Because of the help we get from teen volunteers like Christopher, it allows transport to be more flexible with staff hours and vacation time. These teens learn responsibility, respect for the job and confidence. We are thankful to all the teens.”

Teen Volunteer and Pawtucket resident, Christopher Gaete headed to a patient floor to transport his next patient.

Hanna and Christopher are among 30 teen volunteers from 14 local communities who contributed more than 1300 hours of service to Memorial Hospital this summer. There were 13 areas where teen volunteers assisted.

Memorial Hospital recognized teen volunteers with a pizza party luncheon recently. Everyone enjoyed pizza, cookies and drinks and shared stories about their experiences. For their dedicated service, Lynn Foster, Volunteer Coordinator, presented each team with a goody bag and an engraved pen.

“We value having them,” said Lynn. “Besides submitting an application and recommendation letter for the teen volunteer program, each applicant has to attend an information session and orientation as well as provide immunization records, she added.

Memorial Hospital celebrates the spirit and commitment of all our volunteers. For information on volunteering at our hospital call Lynn Foster at (401) 729-2325. For information on volunteerism in Rhode Island, call 1-800-volunteer or visit the Volunteer Center of Rhode Island’s website at www.vcri.org.