Volunteer John Smith brings comfort to hospital visits

John Smith’s time as a patient and his work with hospital foundations opened his eyes to a simple truth: hospitals need more hands. So he offered his own.  “Having been a patient and worked with hospital foundations, I saw that there was a need for volunteers. I wanted to help,” John says. 

John’s volunteer role at Nova Scotia Health begins with ensuring a clean and safe environment. He starts each shift by sanitizing his work area. From there, he connects with central registry, security and the porters to gain a situational awareness of which departments are operating and their current capacity. 

Once his preparations are complete, John moves to the hospital’s main entrance, where he greets patients, staff and visitors. He makes a point of engaging each person to determine if he can assist them, whether that means providing directions, guiding them to the right department or offering comfort and support as needed. Comforting and assisting people varies with each person,” John explains. He also supports Nova Scotia Health staff in various emergency scenarios, as directed, proving himself to be a vital member of the team. 

What keeps John coming back is a deep-seated motivation to help others and to be part of a team that ensures each hospital visit goes smoothly. “The need to help others and working as a member of the team to deliver an individual’s hospital visit as efficiently as possible,” he says, is his driving force. 

Looking back on his time volunteering, John is most proud of his efforts to create a welcoming atmosphere for everyone who enters the hospital. “Creating a positive start to a person’s hospital visit is my goal and hopefully sets the tone for their experience,” he shares. 

The most rewarding experiences for John come from small moments of human connection. “Seeing that individual who comes to the hospital not so happy to be there but leaving with a smile, thanking me for my help and telling me to have a great day!” he recalls. He says these moments reinforce the value of his work and the positive impact volunteers can have on the patient journey. 

Through his commitment and compassion, John continues to make a meaningful difference at Nova Scotia Health, one welcoming interaction at a time.

Photo of John Smith.