Auxilians and Volunteers

More than 34,000 auxilians and volunteers “light” Iowa hospitals every day of every year. Although they can’t be in their hospitals during the pandemic, that hasn’t stopped volunteers from helping their hospitals and the communities they serve. They have stepped up and have made hundreds of masks and “fidgit” blankets for patients, made care packages for employees and, most importantly, have sent messages and videos of encouragement to hospitals’ front-line employees who may need extra support to get through this difficult time.

Grundy County Memorial Hospital Community Outreach/Volunteer Coordinator and IHA Iowa Hospital Auxiliary/Volunteer President Erin Schildroth expressed her gratitude: “Hospitals miss the support of volunteers in their daily work with patients and families. For every piece of therapy equipment cleaned, for every bag of popcorn delivered to a busy nurse, for every smile shared with a visitor … we are very grateful.”

Across Iowa, hospital volunteer coordinators and employees miss the helpful and compassionate presence of volunteers in their hospital hallways.

“None of us could have predicted how much life would change and how quickly,” said Kathy Moe, Iowa Hospital UnityPoint Health-Trinity Regional Medical Center volunteer coordinator. “Although we can’t thank them in person, volunteers are loved, appreciated and needed.”

To make positive changes to health care policies in Iowa, IHA relies on the support of hospital advocates to be the voices of Iowa hospitals at the State Capitol. With the ever-evolving issues and challenges that hospitals face, communicating a shared vision of health care in Iowa is crucial. Together our voices can be heard.