Jim Rider, a volunteer Discharge Suite Information, cheerfully pushes a wheelchair down the Mission halls to Entrance 5 for a contented affected person’s launch to household, telling a joke or a narrative about his time as a veteran. That is simply one other Tuesday morning on the hospital for this 94-year-old volunteer who makes certain every affected person leaves Mission Hospital has a heat and pleasant reminiscence of their expertise.
Jim is simply finishing his twenty first yr as a volunteer on the Mission Hospital workforce, beginning at St. Joe’s in 2001 along with his spouse Shirley, who was already a volunteer there. “I used to drop my spouse Shirley off usually for her volunteer time on the hospital and figured it will save gasoline to only keep and work there alongside along with her!” When deciding to work within the Discharge Suite the place he has been the many of the 21 years of his volunteer historical past, Jim says it was a job that simply made sense to him due to what he may deliver to the position: a few years in gross sales and eager eyes and ears for what sufferers want within the brief time he’s with them. He’s outgoing and loves having a brand new viewers day-after-day for his repertoire of previous jokes. However Jim’s expertise has taught him to be delicate to his viewers, and that laughter isn’t the most effective drugs for everybody.
Then again, he’s variety and understanding as nicely. That is the recommendation he would give to our new volunteers: take note of what your affected person may want emotionally and bodily, and ask the workers or a extra skilled volunteer in case you need assistance. He’s a grasp of practicality. He has realized in 21 years of volunteering that if somebody has meals in entrance of them, allow them to eat first earlier than attending to them!
Jim served two excursions with the Navy—one in World Conflict II and one other in Korea–and may be very happy with his service to our nation. Beginning work at 16 years previous in Williamsport, Maryland, with breaks for army service and school, Jim was at all times fascinated by the equipment within the mill the place his father labored. This led him to a profession within the textile business. He traveled everywhere in the east and mid-Atlantic areas and Chicago along with his household. Ultimately retiring again in North Carolina, Jim’s three grandchildren served as Junior Volunteers on the hospital, and a grandson at present works with Mission Hospital within the Data Expertise Division. We couldn’t be extra happy with and grateful for the devoted, multi-generational legacy he has created as a part of the Mission Hospital household.
