Why one pre-med student + senior citizen both love being a volunteer at Princeton Baptist—how you can, too

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What better way to get ready for med school than by volunteering in a hospital? That’s what Birmingham’s Katelynn Murry thought, which led her to a six-month stint in Princeton Baptist’s Emergency Department. For Dot Lewis, who grew up on the western side of town, the motivation to volunteer was staying active and giving back.

Keep reading to learn more, including how you can become a volunteer, no matter your age or stage of life.

Meet Dot Lewis, Glenn Ireland + Katelynn Murry

• Dot Lewis: A retiree who decided it was time to do something new.
• Glenn Ireland: Director of Volunteer Services at Princeton Baptist.
• Katelynn Murry: A pre-med student who wanted to get a feel of how hospitals + patient interactions work.

Princeton Baptist’s youngest volunteer

Katelynn, who has recently been accepted to medical school, is Princeton Baptist’s youngest volunteer.

She was given the opportunity to volunteer in the emergency department for six months, where her primary responsibility was to help the nurses in triage. 

“Triage is where the patients have their vitals taken and tell the nurse their symptoms. Based off of that, the nurse assigned them a room. I was able to help the nurses get vital signs for patients or do EKGs on patients who came in with chest pains.”

Katelynn Murry, Volunteer, Princeton Baptist

Even though she was able to help with more “important” things, one of her favorite parts of volunteering was bringing patients heated blankets. She loved helping them feel a little bit better and more comfortable. 

To someone else who’s thinking of volunteering, here’s what she would say: 

“I would absolutely say go for it. And don’t be shy at all. At first, I was super shy—I was afraid of asking the nurses ‘What is this? What is that?’ but I definitely encourage other volunteers to ask the nurses ‘Hey, do you need help?’ Or ‘Hey, can you show me how to do this?’ Or ‘Hey, can I see you take stitches out?’”

Katelynn Murry, Volunteer, Princeton Baptist

Katelynn knows the experience she has gained will help her when she enters med school in the fall. She was able to get hands-on clinical experience with patients while learning how to communicate with and be respectful to patients of all backgrounds.

Apply to become a volunteer today.

Princeton Baptist’s oldest volunteer

Dot Lewis has been volunteering at Princeton for 11 years. At that point, she had been retired for several years and wanted to do something that would benefit others while keeping her “in the groove.”

For a while, Dot volunteered at the information desk, but now she’s in the cancer registry doing office work—answering phones, filing, making coffee—whatever the staff who work there need. 

“Even though I’m not on the information desk, a lot of people come into the professional building on their way to the hospital who don’t know where they’re going. We help them get to the right place for whatever procedure they’re having.”

Dot Lewis, Volunteer, Princeton Baptist

She loves the camaraderie and feels like the cancer group treats her like she’s one of them. She also loves that doctors will sometimes pass volunteers in the hallway and say “thank you for your service.”

Dot would encourage anyone who’s thinking of volunteering if they’re available and have the transportation. 

“It’s a wonderful feeling to know that you’re helping other human beings, especially those who are in their time of need, a crisis or who have loved ones who are patients.”

Dot Lewis, Volunteer, Princeton Baptist

How you can become a volunteer

To learn more about volunteering at the hospitals, we spoke to Glenn Ireland, Director of Volunteer Services at Brookwood Baptist Health. 

• Who: College students to people in their 90s, from all walks of life
• Where: All 5 hospitals in the Brookwood Baptist Health system—Brookwood, Citizens, Princeton, Shelby + Walker

“Some people worked at the hospital; some grew up in the community. Some had a child born there or a spouse who was in the hospital there.

Every volunteer has a servant’s heart. They’re unique people who give back by working four to six hours a day—anything from serving coffee to giving information at the information desk or gift shops, to escorting people from point A to point B.”

Glenn Ireland, Director of Volunteer Services, Brookwood Baptist Health

If you’re interested in volunteering, here’s what you need to do: 

• Fill out an application online or go to the hospital’s volunteer office. 
• Complete a 20-minute interview so they can learn more about you + the type of position you would most enjoy. 

Apply to be a volunteer with Brookwood Baptist Health system today.

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