On the heels of last week’s grand opening of the Hospital San Antonio (HSA), the groundwork is being laid for the launch of a volunteer service program to complement the work of paid staff.
The program is the brainchild of hospital neighbor Marilyn Heesch, a seven-year Chula Vista resident who gained plenty of experience prior to settling at lakeside as a long-time volunteer at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas. There she completed 4,000 hours of service, principally in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit and as a member of the Volunteer Board of Directors. Thus she is well versed in appropriate dress codes, regulations and protocols volunteers should follow in assisting in a hospital environment.
With the full backing of HSA managing director Jorge Calderón to set up the project, Heesch envisions initially recruiting 20 helpers willing to commit to at least one three-hour shift per week for a minimum period of one year. Candidates of all nationalities will be considered, with preference given to those with communication skills in Spanish and English.
Selected individuals will be assigned for duties in one of the following areas: nursing unit, information desk, emergency room, out-patient surgery, in-patient pre- and post-surgery, maternity care and patient relations.
With five volunteers already on board, Heesch will be taking new applications at the hospital every Tuesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., starting on Tuesday, May 21. Contact her via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for additional details.