Jacksonville Memorial posts volunteer schedule to boost patient services

Jacksonville Memorial Hospital released a volunteer schedule effective Jan. 12 that lays out who will staff a range of patient-facing roles across the hospital. The schedule, posted Jan. 9, names volunteers assigned to the gift shop, ER entrance, ambulatory surgery transporters, rehabilitation services, oncology, patient financial services and other regular duties, and it lists Doorbell Dinners and community meal program partners.

Volunteers fill positions that patients and families see first and feel most directly. Greeters at the ER entrance help direct visitors and ease triage flows. Ambulatory surgery transporters move patients between pre-op, operating rooms and recovery, helping clinical staff keep on schedule. In rehab and oncology units, volunteers provide companionship and practical support that can reduce staff nonclinical tasks and increase one-on-one attention for patients. The gift shop, patient financial services and meal programs supply small but meaningful services that contribute to a more navigable and humane hospital experience.

By naming who is on duty each day, the schedule makes volunteer staffing transparent to patients, families and staff. It also provides a contact and context for Morgan County residents interested in contributing time. That clarity helps family members know when familiar volunteers will be available and enables community partners who provide Doorbell Dinners and other meals to coordinate deliveries and menu planning.

For hospital operations, a predictable volunteer roster reduces friction on busy shifts, particularly in outpatient and surgical areas where timely movements matter. For patients, the presence of trained volunteers can speed nonmedical assistance, shorten wait times for basic comfort items and free nursing personnel to focus on direct clinical care. For volunteers, the schedule creates accountability and a clear way to see how individual shifts fit into the larger cadence of hospital services.

The schedule also underscores the local nature of care in Morgan County. Many volunteers are neighbors and fellow Jacksonville residents who bring local knowledge, shared history and personal commitment to their roles. That continuity helps sustain programs such as Doorbell Dinners and community meal partnerships that rely on coordinated schedules and reliable volunteers.

The takeaway? If you want to volunteer, support a friend or simply know who will be on hand when you or a loved one visit, check the hospital’s volunteer listings or contact the hospital’s volunteer services to learn how to get involved. Small shifts can make a big difference in patient comfort and keep Jacksonville Memorial humming for the whole community.