Bring the Joy

Photography by James Moore

Hospital Volunteer Enjoys Serving Others

Joanne White has seen Ozarks Healthcare from a number of different angles during her career and subsequent retirement from the West Plains Chamber of Commerce where she was the longtime executive director.

“When I was with the Chamber, I was very involved with the hospital,” she said. “We’ve had several hospital CEOs serve as chairman of the board for the Chamber, and the hospital was a great supporter of projects that the Chamber took on.

“Also, my job at the Chamber was economic development, and I can’t think of an entity in our community that has more of an effect on economic development than the hospital. People come here from not only the region but from out of state to use the medical facility.”

Once she retired, White got the chance to see the hospital in another light, firsthand, as a customer-facing volunteer. She was moved by what she witnessed — and still is.

“I saw how every person in that place is there to make a difference in our patients’ lives,” she said. “From the housekeeping staff that cleans the rooms to the doctor that prescribes the medicine and all the people in between who are cooking your food or shuttling your laundry around. It’s that whole team of Ozarks Healthcare people who are such a joy to be around. Such a joy. I can’t begin to tell you.”

White’s volunteer post is in the medical office building where she’s served a variety of roles from escorting patients to their appointments and delivering flowers or meals to rooms to giving out directions and smiles.

“I’m moving all the time,” she said. “I told them. ’Wherever you put me, I want to be mobile.’ That’s what I do, and I really enjoy it so much.”

Almost anything can happen during the three-hour shift she puts in once per week, but White doesn’t fear such unknowns having the entire staff of the hospital to back her up and assist.

“We have an awesome supervisor in Maria Woodruff. She will actually do an orientation with you and train you not only for the job that you’re going to be assigned to, but she’ll take you around the hospital and give you a working knowledge of the chain of command to contact,” White said.

“There is never a space between you and an Ozarks Healthcare employee. You’ve always got someone who has your back that you can go to with any question. Everyone in that hospital is so open and willing to help.”

White said anyone hesitant about volunteering at the hospital should also know how hard the staff works to get people into roles they will enjoy. She said people shouldn’t worry about having a certain type of skill, education or professional background; whatever you bring, Ozarks Healthcare can use it.

“There are so many different things that you can do,” she said. “You can work at the front desk, or you can be a shuttle driver in the parking lot. or a gift shop worker and unpack things and put them on shelves.

“All that you really need is the want to help people and make a difference in people’s lives. You can do that, and you do it every time you’re here.”