91-Year-Old Hospital Volunteer Keeps Going Strong

On most days, you can find Joanne Gruber in the hallways of St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit.

She makes gift baskets for new moms, helps visitors navigate the hospital, or handles laundry – all part of her nearly thirty years of volunteering at this southwestern Ontario hospital.

At 91 years old, Gruber says she has no intention of slowing down anytime soon.

“It’s meeting people and working with the babies, and that’s why I really like it, because it gives me something to do and I can be active. I just don’t like sitting around and being bored.”

Gruber started volunteering in 1996, shortly after retiring as a switchboard operator for a food company in nearby London. She admits that life after retirement felt incredibly dull.

That’s when she reconnected with an old high school friend who was managing volunteers at the hospital. She suggested that Gruber might enjoy the role since she “had the personality for it.” Looking for a new hobby, Gruber decided to give it a shot and fell in love with it.

A Second Family

She spent six months at the continuing-care unit, and when they renovated the pediatrics and obstetrics floor, nurses invited Gruber to join their team. There, she’d do seven-hour shifts about four and a half days each week, she remembers.

“I love working with babies and the moms, and it was like a second family to me up on the third floor,” she said. “I was setting up prenatal classes, taking first photos of babies, and doing filing.”

Gruber is now one of 74 volunteers at the hospital. They greet patients at entrances, deliver samples to labs, run the gift shop, and support medical as well as administrative staff in various ways.

Karen Davies, president and CEO of St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital, mentioned how essential their work is.

Gruber finishes the laundry at STEGH’s neonatal intensive care unit. Volunteers like Gruber fill crucial roles at the hospital such as greeting patients or helping with wayfinding while running samples to labs or transporting patients between different departments. (St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital/Facebook)

“Our volunteers put in over 1,400 hours each month; if you break that down it’s almost nine full-time positions here filled by people generously donating their time,” said Davies. She added that since there isn’t porter service available at the hospital; volunteers help fill that need.

“We couldn’t carry out our work without them-whether it’s delivering samples [to labs], moving patients around or making sure everyone feels welcome when they arrive,” Davies explained. “They put in so many steps each day here; I’m truly grateful for all they do.”

LISTEN: 91-year-old St. Thomas woman still volunteers at local hospital

Afternoon Drive6:2991-year-old St. Thomas woman still volunteers at local hospitalJoanne Gruber started volunteering at St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital when she retired back in 1996. Thirty years later , now aged 91 , she’s still going strong , sharing more about her experience with CBC’s Isha Bhargava.

The hospital welcomes volunteers from every age group and background , including students along with retirees , all bringing diverse experiences into their roles , according to Davies. However , she acknowledges that volunteering in such an environment isn’t suitable for everyone.

“It takes a very special person who wants to volunteer inside a hospital,” she pointed out. “It can be quite stressful there-for instance if you’re working within emergency services-you’ll likely see things most wouldn’t handle well.”

Since 1996 , Gruber has seen numerous changes happen within STEGH which helped her adapt throughout its often fast-paced atmosphere.

But that’s not true for Gruber herself-who through these years has witnessed considerable growth due renovations , expansions along advancements made possible via tech innovations plus staff turnover too.

Many members from her own family also hold ties back toward this facility-all eight great-grandkids born right there during her time served! So how long does she plan on continuing ?

“I hope keep doing this as long as I’m able,” replied smilingly.

Source link