Want To Volunteer? Look No Further Than Summa Health

Posted May 30, 2023 by Jessica Goff, Manager, Volunteer Services

Have you heard about the benefits of volunteering? No doubt, volunteering makes a difference in the lives of others by giving tremendous help to those in need, worthy causes and the community.

But, did you know that volunteering also has benefits for you? Researchers have found that volunteering can give you a positive attitude, increased social interaction and physical activity — all things that make a healthier person in the long run.

You’ll find all these great benefits and more when you volunteer at Summa Health. We offer our volunteers a rich and rewarding experience to give back to their community, while building valuable friendships and gaining new skills. It’s a win-win!

At Summa Health, volunteers are a vital part of our team. We offer many ways for people of all ages and interests to volunteer and make a difference in the lives of patients. Learn more about our various programs and apply today to start your journey to a healthier, happier you!

Adult Volunteer Program

Our Adult Volunteer program offers many opportunities to serve in a variety of departments, from Emergency Medicine to Laboratory Services to the Information Desk, Patient Experience and Pastoral Care.

Here are just a few of the ways you can make a difference in the lives of our patients:

• Visiting patients to provide comfort and support, sharing information about the hospital and resources, and identifying patient concerns and remedying them, if possible, to increase patient satisfaction. 
• Delivering mail and flowers to patients.
• Greeting and escorting patients and visitors to appropriate destinations, or providing wayfinding help.
• Providing clerical support and assistance, such as answering phones, organizing and filing charts, for special projects.
• Assisting with creative activities, including music, games and crafts.

Learn more about Summa Health’s Adult Volunteer opportunities.

College Volunteer program & Job Shadowing

Our College Volunteer program offers students volunteering, internships and job shadowing opportunities to gain insight into a career in health care. Students will gain valuable skills for the workforce and can use Summa Health as a reference. Volunteer opportunities are similar to those offered in our Adult Volunteer program.

Learn more about Summa Health’s College Volunteer opportunities.

Teen Volunteer program

Our Teen Volunteer program is a great opportunity for high-school students to gain experience in a health-care environment and fulfill any service-hour requirements they may have. The program assists students in networking and building necessary skills for the workforce.

The program is for high-school students between 14 and 17 years of age and occurs for 10 weeks each summer from June through August. Teens who complete the program can use Summa Health as a reference. Program application deadlines are listed on our website.

Learn more about Summa Health’s Teen Volunteer opportunities.

Community Crafting Volunteer Program

Our Community Crafting Volunteers assist patients in so many ways all from the comforts of their own homes. They make hats, fleece-tied and lap blankets, breast cancer pillows, Afghans, tray favors, among many other items. They also can sew sensory mats to stimulate and soothe patients with Alzheimer’s, dementia or other cognitive conditions.

Learn more about Summa Health’s Community Crafting Volunteer opportunities.

WAGtime Pet Partner Visitation Program

Summa Health is always looking for volunteers, including man’s best friend! Volunteers in our WAGtime program bring their dogs to the hospital to visit patients in hopes of brightening their day. These volunteers have a profound impact on the hospital patients they meet, bringing smiles to their faces and helping to lift their spirits.

WAGtime volunteers must go through a registration process to begin visiting with their dog. Training courses and team evaluations are provided twice a year to prospective volunteers.

Learn more about Summa Health’s Pet Therapy program opportunities.

Women’s Board

The Women’s Board of Summa Health is a philanthropic service and fundraising organization on a mission to advance patient care and comfort. But they can’t achieve their mission without volunteers.

Women’s Board members and volunteers mainly raise funds through the hospital Gift Shop and at third-party vendor sales. However, members also participate in several other areas of service, including creating and hanging holiday decorations for the Akron campus and providing children’s books to the Women’s Health Center.

Learn more about Summa Health’s Women’s Board opportunities.

Summa Health Thanks You!

In appreciation of the support and time our volunteers contribute, Summa Health offers benefits to volunteers, such as:

• Free parking
• Special events
• Free meals
• Professional references
• Free access to Summa Health’s learning center
• Free flu shots
• Access to Summa Health employee discounts

Learn more about our volunteer programs and call 330.375.3247 to apply today. Or, you can fill out an online volunteer application.