Hospitals and volunteers: a winning relationship
By Robbie McKay, Lincoln News • April 12, 2018
MILLINOCKET – National Volunteer Week is April 15-22 and Millinocket Regional Hospital is celebrating that with a relaunch of their own program. Katie Mackin, marketing coordinator for MRH, wants people to realize how vitally important volunteers are to the hospital and its staff.
“We hope others will step up to the plate and join our MRH family by becoming a volunteer,” said Mackin. “By becoming a volunteer at MRH, you will have the opportunity to connect with others, gain an understanding of what it’s like to work in a hospital environment and bring fulfillment to your life,” she said.
While volunteers are in no manner meant to replace staff, they are an integral part of the hospital community and their assistance enables the employees to do their best work while also helping provide patients with added comfort and assistance. While some members of the program may be answering phones, doing office work or participating in an inventory, other volunteers could be delivering patients their flowers, visiting with them and their families, or working on special projects and benefits.
The benefits don’t roll just one way on the volunteer road, however. People who want to help and donate their time to the program find that they also are rewarded with plenty of positive results. They will meet new people and make new friends while they learn new skills while getting acquainted with the healthcare industry. They also will get free flu shots and free immunizations, orientation and training and participation in a meals voucher program to name a few benefits. Active volunteers also become part of the MRH “family” and are part of all the hospital’s family events such as barbecues, parties and others.
Mackin holds the Auxiliary at MRH as a perfect example of an active volunteer organization.
“We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the MRH Auxiliary and their many years of dedication and support of MRH. These ladies have supported a number of projects over the years and continue to support yearly scholarships to a high school senior at Stearns, Schenck and Katahdin high schools pursuing a career in medicine. They do so much for our employees, our hospital and our community; from purchasing new equipment to their annual holiday celebrations that include a community tree lighting and a Christmas Tea in honor of the employees,” she said.
MRH will be unveiling a new section on volunteers on their website next week. For more information on their volunteer program, visit them online or call Human Resources at 723-7275.
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About Millinocket Regional Hospital
Millinocket Regional Hospital (MRH) is a 25 bed Critical Access Hospital nestled at the base of Baxter State Park that provides vital healthcare services to those who live, work and play in the Katahdin Region. Beyond the friendly staff and award-winning patient care, MRH provides an impressive range of specialty and general services; with a recent expansion resulting in the addition of eight new specialties and a Walk-In Care facility. In 2016, MRH was recognized as the Cleanest Hospital in New England by Becker’s Hospital Review and received a five star rating on the Medicare Quality Scale. Providing jobs to approximately 250 people, MRH is the largest employer in the Katahdin Region and a crucial economic force within its community. For more information, please visit www.mrhme.org or www.facebook.com/MillinocketRegionalHospital