Nearly 1,000 UI Health Care volunteers help keep things running smoothly in Johnson County

Mary Jo Meiners often retreats to her basement workroom in her North Liberty home, where she sews “port pillows” for children and adult cancer patients at the University of Iowa Health Care.

If you are as clueless as I am, you might be unfamiliar with that term.

Basically, a port pillow is a small pillow only six inches long with a Velcro strap. Patients attach it to a car seat belt at the point where the belt might rub again the tender implantable port site on their chest where chemotherapy or other drugs are administered by medical staff.

Some patients say it is a godsend because seat belts often rub across their chests where the port is located.

Mary Jo is a whiz at knocking out these things.

“I cut out all the material and get a little assembly line going, and then I can make one in about 15 minutes,” she told me.

She’s already made a bunch ? nearly 500 delivered to the hospital so far. She also makes fitted crib sheets in bright colors for the neonatal intensive care unit at the hospital, plus heart-shaped cardiac pillows for cardiac patients. The heart patients can wrap their arms around the pillow and hug it close to their chests to prevent discomfort or injury when they cough, sneeze, or laugh.

“I think the cardiac pillows are a really good thing,” she told me. “My dad had open heart surgery twice and never had one.”

While this retired North Liberty woman provides in-kind services by handcrafting usable items, nearly 900 volunteers serve UI Health Care in a multitude of other ways.

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A bevy of opportunities await hospital volunteers

Most work on-site at volunteer jobs ranging from rocking babies to assisting distressed families in the emergency room to delivering balloons from the gift shop. The opportunities to serve are numerous.

For example, Carol Steffensmeier of Coralville and her therapy dog Sam volunteer twice a month as part of the hospital’s "Furry Friends" program. A staff member in the hospital’s recreational services department escorts the Furry Friend and handler throughout the hospital when visiting patients in their rooms or waiting areas.

Carol affectionately describes Sam as a seven-year-old, part-poodle “mutt” with a gentle disposition whose friendly demeanor brings comfort to all he encounters. Like Mary Jo, she finds the giving back rewarding.

“It’s fulfilling and heartwarming for both the patients and me and the staff,” she told me. “And the dog likes it too. His tail never stops wagging.”

Scott Leaverton of Cedar Rapids has a more unusual hospital volunteer job. He pilots a golf cart along a major hallway on level two of the hospital on the university campus, transporting patients who might need a lift to their next appointment.

Scott retired last year after 30 years as a physician assistant at UI Health Care. When the hospital recently allowed volunteers ? and staff ? to transport patients in golf carts, he was a good fit because he knew his way around already.

“I look forward to it every week,” he said.

It’s a huge hospital, and Scott says it can sometimes take 15 minutes to transport a patient in his golf cart from one end to the other for appointments. He takes it slow, carefully cruising down the crowded corridor with a flashing blue light on the cart to help pave the way.

“I really like hearing people’s stories,” he told me. “One guy with a rare blood type said he’s been giving blood here for 50 years.”

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Hospital workers help volunteers

Volunteer requirements may seem cumbersome, but hospital officials say the policies are meant to protect the health and safety of some of Iowa’s sickest patients. The strict procedures involved for potential volunteers or donors of in-kind gifts are provided in detail at https://uihc.org/volunteer-services, along with application forms.

For example, hand-crafted fabric items must come from a smoke-free, pet-free environment, and the fabric must be laundered with non-scented, allergen-free detergent. Templates are provided for their design and the staff will let you know what items are needed when you sign up. The word is they are maxed out at present with baby hats and port pillows.

Therapy dog handlers must work through the Pet Partners organization, agree to a criminal background check, stay up to date with immunizations, complete annual compliances such as confidentiality and competency quizzes and take part in other evaluations.

General volunteers must also pass a background check and health screening, commit to orientation/training sessions, serve a minimum of three hours per week, and meet several other requirements.

The hospital’s coordinators keep close tabs on their volunteers, noting that in 2023, a total of 893 volunteers clocked in with nearly 63,000 volunteer hours, which translated into about $2 million in hourly equivalent value. Amazing.

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UI Health Care sees uptick in volunteers

In-kind donations coordinator Sheri Austin says patients and staff are extremely appreciative for this extensive volunteer program that seems to be increasing in popularity in all areas.

“We receive frequent calls from people asking how they can help,” she said. “Sometimes from out of state. The ‘wave’ (Kinnick stadium tradition where football crowds wave in unison toward the children’s hospital) brought a lot of attention to the hospital nationwide and an influx of offers of help from that.”

Jean Reed, Director of Volunteer Services, said volunteer opportunities at UI Health Care are nearly endless.

“We will never have enough community volunteers who are interested to spend a few minutes making quick connections with patients and families to improve their day,” she said. “When people feel vulnerable, a warm welcome, a fond farewell, or a caring smile and a few words of encouragement can make a long-lasting positive impact.”

It’s easy to think that with the acquisition of the former Mercy Hospital of Iowa City along with the university's new North Liberty hospital to be completed next year, UI Health Care's need for good volunteers will undoubtedly increase.

Richard Hakes is a freelance columnist for the Iowa City Press-Citizen.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Hakes: 900 UI Health Care volunteers help run a smooth operation