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News Release

Media Contacts:
Christina Chavira
Communications Specialist
530.332.5589 - office; 530.588.4411 - cell
christina.chavira@enloe.org        

Volunteer opportunities available at Enloe Medical Center

CHICO, Calif., May 4, 2009 – Enloe Medical Center is hosting two events for people interested in meaningful service opportunities that enhance the patient and visitor experience. Interested individuals may call the Volunteer Office at (530) 332-4575 for an application.

May 7          Volunteer Information Session & Orientation
Enloe Conference Center, 1528 Esplanade, Chico
Info session for those interested in becoming an Enloe volunteer, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Orientation required for new volunteers, 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Current Volunteer opportunities include: Hospitality team, patient ambassador, gift shop associate, visitor liaisons for the emergency department, and support for Planetree programs. Some positions involve a high degree of patient contact, while others involve indirect patient interaction through more general hospital support. Volunteer may be placed at the main hospital or at one of the other local campuses.  Scheduling varies from a few hours a week to a few hours a month. Placement depends on the interest, skills, and abilities of the volunteer and the current needs of the medical center. Volunteers receive training to help them function competently in their assigned positions.

 May 13        Gift Shop Volunteer Associate Training
Enloe Conference Center, 1528 Esplanade, Chico, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The Gift Shop Associate Training is for new and potential volunteers. This two-hour session will cover the basics of this service opportunity and includes training in compassionate communication and customer service. While carrying out basic retail functions, Enloe Gift Shop volunteers also emotionally support anxious visitors. Volunteers who work at the gift shop have an opportunity to bring smiles to people’s faces, whether ringing up a sale of flowers for a visitor’s ailing friend or suggesting birthday ideas to a busy nurse. All proceeds from the Enloe Gift Shop go directly to the Enloe Volunteers, who fund hospital projects of their choice.  Reservations are encouraged, but not required.

“Each and every volunteer at Enloe impacts patient the patient experience at some level, in some way,” said Roseanna Galindo-Kuhn, Director of Volunteer Services. “Volunteering at Enloe is a tremendous way to make a difference in the lives of so many different kinds of people at a time when they are in real need.” People who are new to the community or are newly retired find volunteering a particularly nice way to spend their time, she said.

Benefits for Enloe volunteers include access to free educational programs, making new friends, encouragement to expand interests and develop new skills. Volunteer Marge Overson, a patient ambassador and member of the hospitality team, says: “At no time or place are you more appreciated, than when you are able to provide support to staff, patients and families. It doesn’t take much effort; sometimes a smile is all they need.”

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Enloe Medical Center is a local, nonprofit health care organization. For more information, please call 530/332-7300 or visit us online at http://www.enloe.org.   Enloe Medical Center is located at 1531 Esplanade Chico, Calif.  95926.