Bea Edwards said she has found a new sense of purpose in her life as a volunteer at Muskogee Regional Medical Center.

Edwards, 70, signed on 4 1/2 years ago after retiring from the Veterans of Foreign Wars service organization to take care of her dying husband.

“Rather than waste time sitting at home, I get out with the public helping them with their situation,” she said.

Edwards works primarily in the surgery waiting area, a busy hub of activity where family and friends await the outcome of surgery on their loved one.

“I really act as a go-between for the surgeons, doctors and families,” she said. “I keep track of where the family is at. I talk to both and tell them where each one is at. I reassure them that things are all right with their family member. I keep a log of when they go into surgery and when they come out. I hope I make them comfortable and let them know they matter to the hospital. Anything I can do for them.”

Edwards said she doesn’t have any problem helping worried family members stay calm.

“I’ve had a lot happen to me in my own life, so I’ve learned to take it as it flows,” she said.

Edwards’s hours are 8 a.m. to noon, but she is usually there at 7:30 a.m. because that’s when the surgeries start.

In a facility with 175 adult and junior volunteers, Edwards said she fits in very well.

“I get along great with all of the other volunteers,” she said. “I feel like we’re all one big, happy family. I’ve worked in other areas like the gift shop, delivering newspapers on a holiday, and at the information desk.”

Volunteers at MRMC give at least four hours a week and some give as much as 40 hours per week.

Vicki Cormier, volunteer coordinator, said there is a lot of variety in the volunteers.

“Many of them are looking for friendship, many were professionals and retired and were looking for something fulfilling.

However, they often share similar personality traits.

“Most demonstrate empathy for others,” she said. “They love to be with other people and interact with them.”

Gay Bannon, director of Volunteer Services, said some volunteers are looking for job experience, some may be going to nursing school, and some high school students can earn one credit hour for 65 hours of volunteer time.

But there are also personal reasons for volunteering.

“They often have a desire to be helpful to others,” she said. “Or they may have a need to feel needed. They definitely are needed and appreciated in all areas.”

Bannon said the MRMC volunteer program has been successful for several reasons, including the attractive and welcoming environment.

“A group of the volunteers are asked each month to come to lunch with the CEO,” she said. “They can talk about whatever they like. Having that open door with administration has made the volunteers feel more important.”

Bannon added that the program accommodates the handicapped and welcomes volunteers with limitations.



Volunteer opportunities

• Boy Scouts of America, Richard Goforth, Neosho District Director, 207-7971.

• Court Appointed Speical Advocates, 686-8199, casaforchildren@sbcglobal.net

• Muskogee Nursing Center, 682-9232

• Magnolia Gardens, 683-8388.

• Grace Living Center, 683-2914.

• Eastgate Village Healthcare Center, 682-3191.

• Promoting Animal Welfare Society, PAWS, Dorothy Farmer, 686-7297.

• Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center, Greg Sorensen: 577-3621.

• Muskogee Regional Medical Center, Vicki Cormier: 684-2460.

• American Red Cross, Jordan Pool: 682-1366.

• RSVP (ages 55 and older): 683-1578.

• American Red Cross: 682-1366.

• Meals on Wheels, any of the following numbers: Geneva Doyal, 687-1119; Bethany Presbyterian Church, 682-8683; Grace Episcopal Church, 687-5416; St. Paul United Methodist Church, 687-7571.

• Muskogee Public Library, Friends of the Library and adult literacy tutoring: 682-6657.

• Muskogee Public Schools Mentoring Program, Paula Deen: 684-3700.

• Muskogee Garden Club, Martha Stoodley: 683-2373.

• Muskogee Farmers’ Market program with Gospel Rescue Mission to grow things for low-income people, Doug Walton: 686-6939.

• The Salvation Army needs people all year: 682-3384.

• Ark of Faith, 401 E. Broadway, Sally Weiesnbach, 682-8411.

• Boys and Girls Club Teen Center, 322 Callahan St. Help lead dance classes, sports programs, music classes, art classes. Background check needed. Contact: Ken Henshaw, 684-6345.

• SolAmor Hospice, Beth Kile: 686-6899.

• Disabled American Veterans. Help take veterans from home to and from Veterans Administration facilities including Jack C. Montgomery Medical Center, 1011 Honor Heights Drive, and Childers Outpatient Clinic, 9322 E. 41st Street, Tulsa. Volunteers must have a valid driver’s license, pass a brief physical examination and have background check. Contact: Jennifer Poston, 577-3737 or jennifer.poston@va.gov.



FYI

• For more information about becoming a volunteer at Muskogee Regional Medical Center, call Vicki Cormier at 684-2460.



Reach Keith Purtell at 918-684-2925 or Click Here to Send Email