Samaritan Healthcare | The Samaritan | Winter 2018

When you arrive at Samaritan Healthcare to receive care or to visit a patient, you are greeted by a friendly volunteer at the information desk who directs you where you need to go. You may stop at the newly renovated gift shop, where another volun- teer will assist you with a purchase. And if you check in as a patient in the Medical/ Surgical Unit or the Advanced Care Unit, a volunteer Patient Ambassador may offer you a cold cup of water or just a chat if you’d like a visitor. These are just a few of the ways our vol- unteers at Samaritan Healthcare provide as- sistance to patients, visitors, staff and health care providers. “When a potential volunteer reaches out to me, we discuss why they are choosing to volunteer—whether it’s school-related or a desire to give back to the community,” says Rachelle Lange, Samaritan’s volunteer coordinator. “We are looking for dedicated people with positive attitudes and the ability to be flexible and provide quality customer service.” All potential volunteers are given appli- cation forms and the paperwork needed to complete a background check. Samaritan is looking to expand the vol- unteer program, including the addition of a junior volunteer program. “Our young people are our future com- munity leaders, which adds to the value in inviting them to participate as volunteers,” says Lange. “It would provide them with opportunities to learn about health care in our community and how good it feels to give back and feel connected.” For more information about volunteer- ing or to apply, call 793-9724 or visit samaritanhealthcare.com/ about-us/volunteer . I am Samaritan. All of us. For each of you. Every time. Darby O. Physical therapy Dedicated volunteers Demons t r a t i ng qua l i t y cus t ome r s e r v i c e Spread hope in your world We can each make the world a kinder, brighter place with our everyday actions. Here are some ideas to inspire you to make a difference, even in the smallest ways. Share something hope- ful. Tell someone about a charitable cause that’s doing good work. Post or share an upbeat news story. Say "I believe in you." Encourage someone who’s working toward a goal. Let them know that you see them succeeding. Reach out to someone who seems to be strug- gling. Ask, "What can I do now to help and support you?" Let them know you care and you’re there to listen. Offer a helping hand. Maybe you know a family caregiver or elderly neigh- bor who could use help with tasks or errands. Connect with a friend face-to-face. Online friends are fine, but it’s not the same as giving real hugs or taking soup to someone who’s sick. Express regret. If you’re truly sorry for something you said or did to someone, apologize. Take responsibil- ity without excuses. Do acts of kindness. Hold the door for someone. Buy a stranger a cup of coffee. Leave extra coins at the laundry. Donate used books to a shelter or nurs- ing home. Expect good things to happen. You’ll feel more optimistic and hopeful—and that’s sure to lift up those around you too. Sources: American Psychological Association; HelpGuide Darby O., Samaritan job shadow participant The Samaritan Healthcare team also includes skilled job shadow volunteers who participate with our staff in treating the needs of our patients. Darby is just one example of an outstanding Samaritan job shadow participant. Darby is a ju- nior at Washington State University with a major in kinesiology. She has assisted in the physical therapy department for the last two summers. When Darby graduates, she plans to become a physical therapist. “When I began job shadowing at Samaritan, I knew I was at the right place,” says Darby. “I really enjoy working with all the physical thera- pists here.Their experience reveals how the one- on-one methods of providing physical therapy treatments will help me in my future career as a physical therapist.” The physical therapy department has received the Outcomes Excellence Award from Focus on Therapeutic Outcomes (FOTO) every year since joining FOTO in 2014.The ongoing evaluation process measures rehabilitation outcomes and re- veals the dedication of the department to provid- ing active plans of care, leading to more effective treatment. “I learned so much from the patient-centered approach used by the physical therapists,” says Darby. “It’s the way I want to care for my own patients some day.” Offering a quality learning experience for our job shadow participants is another way Samaritan provides healing for their patients. Darby’s ben- eficial experience with the skilled therapists in the physical therapy department has encouraged her to pursue a career in the field. For more information about the job shadow- ing program or to apply, call 793-9724 or visit samaritanhealthcare.com/about-us/volunteer . I am Samaritan. All of us. For each of you. Every time. Winter 2018 3