Volunteer
A strong volunteer program enhances the patient experience, improves satisfaction for both staff and patients, and strengthens the community. What volunteers receive is just as important – a fun, caring environment that recognizes their time and talents while enabling them to give back to others.
As a volunteer, you are considered a member of the Gritman family, which means you are responsible to the medical center and our patients. You are required to observe the same code of ethics as our professional staff, adhere to our policies and procedures and protect patient confidentiality.
Every day, volunteer contributions of time and energy make it possible for Gritman Medical Center to fulfill its mission to provide exceptional health care.
IHA Volunteer Awards
What an incredible honor to have two of our dedicated volunteers recognized with statewide awards by the Idaho Hospital Association. Longtime volunteer and Gritman board member Janie Nirk and former junior volunteer Defne Yuksel were both honored during the Idaho Hospital Association annual meeting earlier this month. Janie received the 2021 Leader of Volunteer Excellence Award while Defne was honored with the 2021 Junior Volunteer of the Year Award. Gov. Brad Little and Idaho Hospital Association President Brian Whitlock presented the awards. We’re so fortunate to have such dedicated volunteers and our mission of providing extraordinary care wouldn’t be possible without them. Congratulations to Janie and Defne for this well-deserved honor!
Deary Man Keeping Light A Candle Program Fires Burning
Each week, Matuska makes his way to the Gritman Foundation’s second-floor Cancer Resource Center and reaches out to patients going through cancer treatment to see if there are services they might need.
he Deary man knows just how important those phone calls can be. Three years ago, Matuska was trying to diagnose a rare form of liposarcoma, traveling between Lewiston and Spokane for tests and eventually a surgery to remove a tumor from his leg. The operation left him homebound for six months. Matuska was given a 50% chance of ever walking again.
Support through the Gritman Foundation’s Light A Candle program—gasoline gift cards he was able to use when friends and family gave him lifts to his many appointments—proved more than valuable during his treatment.
Read More About Jim MatuskaVolunteering at Gritman Medical Center
Gritman Auxiliary
The Gritman Auxiliary supports the hospital in a variety of ways. If you are looking to join a close-knit group that is passionate about lending a helping hand, look no further than the Gritman Auxiliary. Share your skills, make new friends and get involved with your community by becoming a Gritman Auxilian.
Our volunteers come from all walks of life; some have a history in health care, others simply have a desire to give back. Gritman Auxilians can be seen throughout the hospital volunteering in many areas. Volunteer opportunities include Bertie’s Gift Shop and sewing, knitting, and crocheting gifts for patients.
The Auxiliary also raises funds to reinvest in the hospital through grants and scholarships. To date, the Gritman Auxiliary has raised more than $700,000 in support of key initiatives.
All active Auxilians must volunteer a minimum of 25 hours per year and membership dues are $5 per year. Patron Auxilians do not have a requirement for volunteer hours, and the membership contribution is a minimum of $10 annually.
Junior Volunteer Program
Be a leader in your community, make new friends and experience the health care field firsthand through Gritman Medical Center’s Junior Volunteer (JV) Program.
The JV program allows teens to experience working in a hospital setting while learning new skills and building character. Junior Volunteers come from many different schools and walks of life, making the JV program a great way to meet new people and give back to your community.
Volunteers 14-18 years old have a variety of options available, from assisting at community events to helping with department needs. Junior Volunteers also participate in fundraising, community back-to-school and food drives, and provide an extra hand at community outreach classes. Our Junior Volunteers provide the extra touches throughout the hospital that make a substantial difference to our staff and patients’ lives.
Get InvolvedVolunteer Chaplains
Dedicated to providing emotional and spiritual support to Gritman patients and their loved ones. The team includes on-call community leaders who conduct “rounds” in the hospital on a rotating weekly schedule. Chaplins can be called upon 24/7.
Caring for the whole patient—through medicine, wholesome and nutritious food, and nurturing the soul—is an example of how Gritman is embodying its mission of service to patients and their loved ones.
Chaplain Essay
In this short essay, Gritman Lay Chaplain Rodney Frey offers his experiences while serving a dying patient and his family, and reflects on what he shares with the other Gritman chaplains, as well as what he uniquely brings to the care of those in need.
Read “They Came for Their Dying Father: One Chaplain’s Experience.”
Community Volunteers
If you are looking for a way to get involved, becoming a community volunteer at Gritman is the perfect opportunity. Members of Latah County and our surrounding communities who have an interest in or experience in medicine and wish to volunteer five hours or more per month in various departments. There is a minimum one-year commitment.
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