Volunteers have been supporting UNC Health Pardee’s mission for decades by helping our organization go above and beyond in the care we provide to our community. We are proud to have 119 individual volunteers and 7 community groups serving as part of our volunteer family.
Volunteers assist Pardee’s team in a variety of ways, from offering companionship to patients who need non-medical support, to helping visitors navigate the hospital safely, to completing clerical tasks that give staff more time to focus on direct patient care.
In every role they serve, volunteers bring extra hands and, more importantly, extra hearts to support our patients, visitors, and staff. Despite the challenges faced during Hurricane Helene, our volunteers collectively donated 17,182 hours of service in 2024.
Anyone with compassion in their heart and a desire to serve the community is an ideal candidate for volunteering at Pardee. Even if someone’s abilities or schedule don’t fit into a traditional role, we work to find opportunities that allow them to contribute.
Volunteers serve in three ways:
Patient-Facing Support
These volunteers interact directly with patients, offering care items and a friendly face to talk to. Their presence gives nurses more time to focus on clinical tasks, while ensuring patients receive an added layer of Carolina Care.
Support Services
These volunteers assist with hospital operations by helping visitors find their way, transporting patients, and providing exceptional customer service. Their role helps ensure every person who walks through Pardee’s doors experiences kindness and compassion in every step of their visit.
Staff Support
Volunteers in this role work closely with departments on a variety of projects, such as assisting technicians with work orders, helping with documentation, and identifying opportunities for process improvement. They help departments achieve their goals while relieving some of the everyday workload for teammates.
We are always excited to welcome new volunteers and match them with opportunities based on their unique interests and skill sets. Those interested can register for an information session that provides an overview of our program and helps prospective volunteers determine whether Pardee is the right fit. From there, prospective volunteers will complete an official application and background check, attend orientation and compliance training, and begin shadowing and active service.
We see people seeking to serve for a variety of reasons, but often, volunteers come to us because they have a personal connection with Pardee. They may be former patients, loved one’s family members, former nurses, or children of past volunteers. Others are looking to build connections and community through meaningful service.
Pardee volunteers make an impact no matter how they choose to serve. When someone is interested in volunteering, we’re not looking at education, career history, or background – we focus on their heart. If they have compassion and a desire to give back, they already have what it takes to be a Pardee volunteer.
Interested in volunteering at UNC Health Pardee? Learn more.
