Dedicated Hospital Volunteers Return a Year after Pandemic

Hundreds of volunteers are able to return to hospitals after most recent surge

CENTRAL COAST, CA – April 19, 2021 – Just in time for National Volunteer Week, April 18 – 24, Arroyo Grande Community Hospital, French Hospital Medical Center, and Marian Regional Medical Center welcomed back the hundreds of volunteers that were restricted from hospital service at the inception of the pandemic last March. 

Volunteers are an integral part of day-to-day hospital and clinic operations, and many were eager to return to their duties. They had staggered return dates, and have resumed responsibilities such as greeting, temperature screenings, stocking, and floor support. 

"It's exciting to be able to come back and be of service, but it's especially nice to see the friends and coworkers we have not been able to see during the pandemic," says French Hospital Medical Center Volunteer Wilfred von Dauster. 

“It feels great,” says Marian Regional Medical Center Volunteer Catherine Rosen. “It’s so nice to be back and be helpful. It really is wonderful to be back!”

For the safety of our patients, staff, and volunteers, they have been offered the COVID-19 vaccination prior to their return dates and are required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and take daily temperature screenings. 

With wide varieties of work experience and education, the hospital volunteer staff compliment the various service positions and are essential to patient care. The dedicated volunteer teams have been eager to return to the hospital, where some of them dedicate up to 40 hours a week to serve their community. 

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About Dignity Health Central Coast 
Dignity Health Central Coast is comprised of five award-winning hospitals, all recognized for their quality of care, safety and service, primary care offices, premier ambulatory surgery centers, technologically advanced imaging centers, outpatient services, and comprehensive home health services. For more information, visit dignityhealth.org/centralcoast.