Volunteers at HSC Winnipeg provide essential support to our delivery of patient care. They are invaluable in helping create a positive experience for our patients, visitors, and staff.
Each year, thousands of volunteers of all ages and abilities generously donate their time.
Every year on December 5, International Volunteer Day (IVD) is celebrated worldwide, shining a light on the impactful efforts of volunteers. HSC recognizes the power volunteerism has on positively impacting communities and, more specifically, at HSC.
To learn explore behind the scenes with Komal and the book cart, please visit Behind the Scenes.
As a former family liaison volunteer in the medical intensive care unit at HSC during the heights of the pandemic, Sophia helped connect patients with their loved ones via virtual video calls. Today, she volunteers her time at HSC Winnipeg’s Children’s Hospital, where she spends her time with some of Manitoba’s smallest patients receiving care.
“Being able to play with and provide comfort to pediatric patients is both humbling and inspiring. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to positive patient experiences and look forward to my weekly shift,” Sophia said. “Volunteering in the medical intensive care unit and with pediatric patients has shown me the value of human connection and how illness affects not only patients, but their families as well.”
The culmination of these experiences has furthered Sophia’s compassion for patients and their support networks as well as her desire to pursue a career in health care.
“In the future, I hope to become a Physician Assistant and work toward decreasing health disparities among marginalized patients, communities and populations through scholarship and provision of culturally safe, high-quality and patient-centred care.”
Volunteers at HSC provide essential support to our delivery of patient care. They are invaluable in helping create a positive experience for our patients, visitors, and staff.
Emi
“Volunteering at HSC brings me much joy in that small acts such as playing a board game or handing out a book can make a positive impact on a patient’s hospital experience.”
Emi is currently attending the University of Winnipeg completing pre-radiation therapy courses in preparation for U of W’s joint Radiation Therapy program with CancerCare Manitoba.
“A career as a radiation therapist would put me in a position to make an impact in people’s lives by actively being part of cancer treatment and providing emotional support to cancer patients. I am grateful for time spent volunteering as it has better prepared me to work closely with patients.”
Thank you, Emi. We are so grateful for your continued willingness to share your experience, skills, compassion and precious time with us.
Volunteers at HSC provide essential support to our delivery of patient care. They are invaluable in helping create a positive experience for our patients, visitors, and staff.
Anna
As a volunteer at HSC Winnipeg’s Children’s Hospital, Anna spends her time visiting with some of Manitoba’s smallest patients, allowing parents and staff the ability to take a much-needed break.
“I feel like I have the best volunteer position because a lot of it consists of cradling cute babies or playing games with a child. What I enjoy the most is getting a child excited about a game which creates a space that allows them to just be a kid even while in hospital.”
Anna has goals of becoming a physician assistant using the lessons she’s learnt of creating safe spaces for children through her volunteering as inspiration.
Volunteers at HSC provide essential support to our delivery of patient care. They are invaluable in helping create a positive experience for our patients, visitors, and staff.
Arianna
“After the pandemic, I was lucky enough to volunteer and rediscover my purpose in life: helping those in need and creating an environment where children can still indulge in their childhood. Though the task of handing out books might seem small, I truly believe that simple contributions can aid in building a better world and make a difference for the new generation to come.”
As a volunteer at HSC Winnipeg’s Children’s Hospital, Arianna Barczak spends her time with some of Manitoba’s smallest patients, with hopes of putting a smile on their face.
“The smiles I get to see and the imagination I help to inspire, has been the most rewarding experience and enjoyable parts of my volunteering role,” Arianna said. “Our library is filled with a wide selection, which allows the children to immerse themselves into a world of great opportunity and creativity while reading, which they wouldn’t otherwise receive.”
Arianna is currently finishing her undergraduate studies in neuroscience and is interested in pursuing a career in health care.
“Volunteering in the children’s wards has opened my eyes to the endless facets of healthcare that I have yet to explore, and hope to continue exploring, especially in the pediatrics department. With these future plans, I hope to ultimately fulfill my life-long goal of putting a smile on those who need it the most.”
Elbereth
As a volunteer at HSC Winnipeg for the past six years, Elbereth Luo has been spending her time visiting the inpatient units each week, providing reading material such as books and magazines.
“I enjoy seeing the comfort patients receive from picking out a book or magazine to read during their hospital stay.”
Elbereth is writing the MCAT this summer and is applying to medical school at the University of Manitoba to become a psychiatrist.
Volunteers at HSC provide essential support to our delivery of patient care. They are invaluable in helping create a positive experience for our patients, visitors, and staff.
Max
Max was awarded one of HSC’s Hospital Foundation Volunteer Scholarships for the impact his role as a meal time ward ambassador has had in the orthopedics surgery rehabilitation program.
“I was able to help enhance adult patient care by providing support to patients and unit staff during meal times and shift changeovers. My role included serving meals, clearing food trays, refilling glove boxes, pouring ice waters, and providing companionship to patients.”
Along with interacting with patients, Max also enjoyed being able to spend time with staff including clerks, unit assistants and nurses.
“They all welcomed me with open arms,” Max added. “I made a strong effort to connect with every person I came in contact with in the ward by learning their name and a fact about themselves.”
This rewarding experience is now inspiring Max to further his education and work towards becoming a physician assistant where he hopes to provide advanced support to patients and primary care workers.
“I will make sure to use every valuable experience gained from my time as an HSC volunteer to become a strong contributing member of the health care system as I move forward with my career.”
Volunteers at HSC provide essential support to our delivery of patient care. They are invaluable in helping create a positive experience for our patients, visitors, and staff.
