The annual UT Southwestern Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon is traditionally a time to say thank you to the dedicated individuals who give their time and kindness to help patients and staff.

But this year, there was something extra special to celebrate: Togetherness.

“It’s so nice to be able to rub elbows again,” said the Rev. John O’Neal, UT Southwestern’s Director of Spiritual Care and Support and Volunteer Services, with a wide grin. “We’ve been kept apart since the beginning of the pandemic, and this is really the first chance we’ve been able to all be together like this in a few years. I’m so grateful that we’re finally able to be here in the same room once again.”

In 2019, nearly 600 volunteers donated their time across the UT Southwestern Health System. But when the pandemic struck the following year, health and safety precautions prevented them from serving in person. Over the next three years, the number of people in the program dwindled to about 170. In 2022, a small ice cream social was held to ease back into the appreciation gathering. It was attended by about 25 volunteers, according to Sherri Wood Cooper, Manager of Volunteer Services.

This year marked a very welcome return to normal, as about 50 people gathered in the John and Ginny Eulich Pavilion at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital. There, members of the group bonded over barbecue and cake, relishing the chance to shake hands or share a hug and to pet therapy dogs – golden retriever Callie and labradoodle Rey – who joined the party.

Volunteers in attendance said they missed being on campus as much as patients and hospital staff missed them. They did their best to contribute remotely, tackling tasks including assembling aromatherapy packets and writing greeting cards. Still, many said they ached to get back to seeing patients and hospital personnel face to face.

“During the pandemic, it was hard to sit at home,” said Yasmeen Ali, who was honored at the event for five years of service. She spoke about what it meant to her to be able to contribute, even remotely. “When Sherri and John gave us some work, we really appreciated the chance. It’s so good to be back,” Ms. Ali said.

UT Southwestern staff are also glad to welcome back volunteers just as much as they’re happy to be here.

“It’s been wonderful to have volunteers back in person on campus,” Ms. Wood Cooper said. “We can see how much they have been missed in the faces of our patients, families, and staff members every day. They’re such a tremendous boost for all of us.”

Over the past year, the program has really started to rebound. Nearly 300 volunteers have been active, giving more than 9,150 hours of their time to UT Southwestern and its patients, according to Ms. Wood Cooper. Meanwhile, the Summer Youth Volunteer Program has been reactivated, and new partnerships have been formed with the H. Grady Spruce High School Reserve Officers Training Corps, the Biomedical Preparatory at UTSW, and other organizations.

“The students truly work all over campus,” according to the Rev. O’Neal. “We have them in Transport, Nutrition Services, on units, and in clinics. They are not able to ‘shadow’ doctors or be in contact with blood, tissue, or bodily fluids, but any other station is fair game. Units and clinics are asked to complete a requisition form describing their vision of a volunteer position, and then we work to recruit into that.”

Aryan Verma, a member of the Comets Hospital Elder Life Program, said donating his time to others also benefited him tremendously. Comets HELP, a collaboration between the UTSW Geriatrics Division and students in the UT Dallas Hobson Wildenthal Honors College, enables pre-health honors students to participate in volunteer activities at the older adult inpatient unit at Clements University Hospital. Cognitively engaging older people and learning how to effectively assist is credited with allowing faster recovery times and better well-being for patients.

“It’s been an honor,” Mr. Verma said. “You’re a stranger one moment, and they’re giving you the keys to their life the next. I volunteered with a 103-year-old patient for four weeks, and it was amazing to see someone make such a transformation. To be able to have such a positive impact is a privilege. I’ll never forget it.”

Jeannette Lynch (left), honored for 2,500 hours of service, said volunteering makes her feel like she has an impact. With her is Sharon Pedevilla, a fellow Spiritual Care and Support Eucharistic Minister volunteer.

Jeannette Lynch, who was honored at the luncheon for the milestone of having donated 2,500 hours of service, said volunteering makes her feel like she has an impact, and returning to the hospital means more than words can say. She could barely contain how happy she was to be back.

“It has been a wonderful experience,” Mrs. Lynch said. “We’ve gotten so much more out of doing this than we would have ever thought. People will thank us. But I feel it’s us that need to thank y’all for giving us this opportunity.”

The Rev. O’Neal said he is hopeful the new relationships will help the volunteer program – which can trace its roots to 1943 with the formation of the former St. Paul’s Hospital Auxiliary – quickly rebuild numbers to its previous level.

“I think we will be able to do that,” he said. “Volunteers are the epitome of the heart and the spirit of giving in a health care setting. People who are service-minded come here because they can make a real difference, serving as an inspiration to our patients and staff. I’m very optimistic about the future of our volunteer program.”

In addition to Ms. Ali, several volunteers were recognized for reaching the landmark of five years of service: Kimberly Chapman, Azmeena Karim, Fatima Mehdi, Habiba Merchant, and Joseph Riegel.

Others were honored for reaching milestones in time given to the program:

Dolly Wu, who reached 3,500 hours; Mrs. Lynch, who logged 2,500 hours; and Gary Billingsley, who surpassed 1,000 hours.