Hospital Volunteers Bring Comfort Where It Matters Most

Every morning at 5am, retired OB/GYN Gil Smith walks into MultiCare Deaconess Hospital in Spokane to hold the tiniest patients struggling through drug withdrawal. For seven years, he's been the calming presence that helps newborns settle, potentially reducing their need for medication.

Smith practiced medicine for 26 years at the same hospital where he now volunteers. His early morning shifts let him connect with both nursing teams while doing what he loves most: comforting babies who need extra care.

At MultiCare Auburn Medical Center, Michael Berman discovered that retirement felt empty after just two months. Now in his third year volunteering, he's made it his mission to ease the anxiety that walks through hospital doors alongside patients.

"A trip to the hospital can be intimidating and stressful," Berman says. His goal is simple: get a smile or a laugh from every person he meets. The gratitude he receives each shift confirms that his presence matters.

Fellow Auburn volunteer Annmarie Lam has learned that being present holds unexpected power. Beyond her daily restocking duties, she shows up with an open heart, offering a helping hand or simply listening when patients need it most.

At Mary Bridge Children's Hospital, Nadine Torres-Hernandez uses her bilingual skills to bridge communication gaps for Spanish-speaking families navigating scary moments. What started as a way to explore healthcare as a career has become something deeper.

"Even in a volunteer role, I know my presence matters," Torres-Hernandez explains. Small actions like helping a patient reach the cafeteria or ensuring their concerns get addressed can transform someone's hospital experience.

Why This Inspires

These volunteers remind us that healthcare isn't just about medical expertise. It's about the retired doctor who could be golfing but chooses to hold struggling newborns instead. It's about the retiree who greets anxious patients with deliberate warmth. It's about young people who show up ready to listen, translate, and care.

They're not getting paid, earning degrees, or building resumes. They're simply showing up because presence matters, kindness heals, and every person walking through hospital doors deserves to feel seen.

Their commitment proves that the most powerful medicine sometimes comes without a prescription.