Oak Valley Health has over 900 volunteers who work alongside our staff and physicians to provide an extraordinary experience to our patients and families. Volunteers bring a wealth of knowledge, skills, and experience to our hospitals and reflect our diverse community.

Interested in becoming a volunteer?

If you have ever had to visit the Emergency Department (ED) at Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH), you have likely come across some of our volunteers. Don Thompson is one of them, and has been a volunteer with Oak Valley Health since Spring 2019 – almost five years.

“As an emergency concierge, I am positioned at the entrance to the Emergency Department. This provides me with the opportunity to welcome patients and visitors to the hospital, to help patients to sign in kiosks in the lobby, to explain next steps and to reduce their uncertainty and anxiety,” says Don. “For non-emergency patients, I provide direction to the appropriate clinic or diagnostic centre within the hospital. The best reward is when patients thank me for making their experience a little easier.”

Image of Don Thompson, a volunteer who works in our Markham Stouffville Hospital’s Emergency Department, standing outside of the Emergency Department area, mask on.
Don Thompson, a volunteer who works in the Markham Stouffville Hospital’s Emergency Department.

Like many other hospitals, the ED at MSH has many nuances for volunteers to navigate. This is a particularly busy time, as cold and flu season presents a whole new set of challenges. Currently, our ED is experiencing increased patient volumes, up over 200 per cent over this time period pre-pandemic. Despite the ED experiencing constant pressure, Don insists that he always feels very supported by the ED staff, which is critical in helping him navigate each shift.

“The most rewarding aspect of volunteering in the Emergency Department is working with the staff,” says Don. “Their resilience, commitment, and sense of humanity is truly admirable and inspires me each shift.”

Image of Don Thompson, a volunteer who works in our Markham Stouffville Hospital’s Emergency Department, standing outside of the Emergency Department area, mask on.

In his spare time, Don enjoys spending time with his extended family in the Thousand Islands.

“My interest in interacting with people and finding a way to contribute to the community in which I live led me to volunteering. When I look back at my time as volunteer, I have only one regret: I wish I had made the decision to volunteer sooner,” says Don. “Please consider volunteering at Oak Valley Health. It is a vital part of our community.”

Are you interested in volunteering? We are currently recruiting for volunteers! Learn more about the application process and how to apply.

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This article appeared in the January 2024 issue of The Link. To receive Oak Valley Health’s community newsletter, subscribe now.