Community July 01, 2008
Volunteers Celebrate Diamond Anniversary
Ever since Yale-New Haven Hospital was founded in 1826, volunteers have participated in various aspects of the hospital’s work. Since its inception, the hospital has been governed by a volunteer board of trustees. Hospital records back as far as 1833 report that a volunteer “Board of Lady Visitors” visited the hospital’s patient wards regularly and reported on the hospital conditions.
In 1933, however, New Haven Hospital established an official volunteer department, making it one of the oldest organized hospital volunteer programs in the United States. By creating a formal department and later hiring the first fulltime paid director for volunteer services, Bettina Jones, in 1942, Yale-New Haven became a leader in the development of the profession of volunteer administration. This included established policies and procedures for volunteers as well as position descriptions, training and supervision by paid staff.
“Volunteer services at Yale-New Haven has a long, rich history,” explained Jeannette Hodge, director of patient relations, volunteer and guest services. “From humble beginnings, it has flourished into a hearty organization that enriches the hospital in so many ways. The invaluable services provided by our volunteers have contributed immensely to the success of hospital services, programs and day-today operations.”
In the 1940s, U.S. involvement in World War II caused a significant expansion of Yale-New Haven’s volunteer services. In order to help offset the shortage of manpower related to the war, volunteers were widely recruited to fill voids in various areas of the hospital. New volunteers responded in droves and were put to work in patient units and laboratories and performing housekeeping and maintenance tasks. During this period, the department averaged 580 volunteers working an average of 6,350 hours a month.
Also in the 1940s, volunteer services added the men’s volunteer corps to work with male patients. Soon after, the Yale aides, composed of university students and faculty, and the first volunteer program for teens, the youth volunteers, were created and became model volunteer programs for the nation.
The Yale-New Haven Hospital Auxiliary, a separate entity yet closely linked to the volunteer services department, was founded in the 1950s. This volunteer group was created to support and develop understanding of the objectives and services of the hospital and to promote health education
in the community. The Auxiliary, currently 175 members strong, includes of a number of committees that handle health education, the Atrium Gift Shop, Toy Closets and more.
Through the decades, volunteer services continued to grow as record numbers of volunteers joined. The 1960s saw volunteers added to the emergency department, outpatient units and pediatric units.
In the 1970s, volunteer services was extensively revamped in an effort to provide more productive and professional service to the hospital. Volunteer orientation meetings were implemented to share comprehensive, consistent information with all volunteers. A volunteer manual was created with a written record of hospital policies and procedures, as well as those of volunteer services.
Changes in the 1980s included a ramped up volunteer program for pediatric AIDS patients as AIDS became a national health issue. Volunteer services achieved other milestones during this era by eliminating the candy striper uniform and establishing the red jacket as the uniform for volunteers throughout the hospital.
In the 1990s, volunteer services added more programs to enrich the lives of patients. Among them was the interpreter program, which made a measurable difference in assisting patients and families who have limited English. The elder life and pet visitation programs succeeded in bringing an added dimension of love and caring to elderly and pediatric patients alike.
In the late 1990s, volunteer services developed the successful ambassador program in which volunteers greet, escort or transport patients around the hospital.
“Today, we have about 1,500 volunteers who together give more than 75,000 hours of service each year,” commented Hodge. “I anticipate that volunteer services at Yale-New Haven will continue to strengthen and expand and serve as a stellar example of how volunteers enhance a hospital environment.”
Today’s volunteer program includes volunteers from all age groups and all walks of life. Volunteer opportunities are matched with individual time schedules, abilities and interests, and volunteers serve in many capacities at Yale-New Haven.
Assignments may involve intense or moderate patient contact or behind-the scenes work. Front-line volunteers include ambassadors, patient transporters, information desk clerks and emergency department volunteers. Many volunteers assist hospital staff with tasks that are essential to the overall operations of the hospital. Additionally, volunteers provide service at two of the hospital’s satellite locations —the Shoreline Medical Center and Temple Medical Center.
Youth volunteers, age 14 to 18, participate in the academic year program after school or in the eight-week summer program. For college students, Yale-New Haven collaborates with area colleges and universities for a variety of volunteer assignments. Students considering a career in health care find the hospital volunteer experience helpful in solidifying career choices. Adult volunteers provide support throughout the year in various capacities including guest relations, patient support, parenting support and pediatric support.
“Hospital volunteers are extraordinary people,” said Hodge. “We cannot say enough about the magnificent contributions of our volunteers. Their commitment makes Yale-New Haven Hospital a better place to work, to visit and to heal.”
Article originally appeared in the summer 2008 issue of the Yale-New Haven Magazine (page 12-13)
http://www.ynhh.org/online/magazines/summer08mag.pdf
