Published on June 28, 2024
Owensboro Health Regional Hospital Kicks Off Annual Volunteen Program
Owensboro Health Regional Hospital is excited to announce the start of the annual Volunteen Program, which began on June 10 and will run through August 2. This year, the program welcomes 65 enthusiastic teens aged 14 to 17, eager to gain valuable experience in the medical field and contribute to the community.
The Volunteen Program offers a diverse range of areas where teens can volunteer, including laboratory, Environmental Services (EVS), Surgery Pediatrics, Mother Baby, Labor & Delivery, Security, Critical Care Unit (CCU), Orthopedics, Cardiac Stepdown, Neurology, Materials and food services. Additionally, participants can volunteer this year at the Breckinridge Medical Center, where they are stationed in the first-floor lobby. These dedicated teens greet patients, assist with wayfinding and escort patients to their appointments if needed.
Jennifer Howard, Human Resource Specialist, expressed her enthusiasm for the program, highlighting its benefits. "We are so glad that Owensboro Health can offer our teen program because it gives them a chance to experience areas in the medical field, gain knowledge of a working environment and learn skills regarding teamwork and time management," she said. Participating in the Volunteen Program also provides teens with several benefits, including eligibility to apply for scholarships, celebration and recognition events, provided lunches, school credit and valuable additions to their resumes.
Howard, who is experiencing her first year working with the teens, added, "The Volunteen program is a great learning experience for the teens. It allows them to see how the hospital functions daily and hopefully encourages them to pursue a career in the medical field. They learn a lot while they are here, and it's also a great confidence builder." She also thanked her colleagues Kendra Knott, Melinda Cornell, Shannon Myers, and Mary Mangan for their teamwork and support in making the program run smoothly.
The Volunteen Program at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital continues to be a cornerstone in fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals. It provides teens with an invaluable glimpse into the world of healthcare and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in their community.
About Owensboro Health
Owensboro Health is a nonprofit health system with a mission to heal the sick and to improve the health of the communities it serves in Kentucky and Indiana. The system includes Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, nationally recognized for design, architecture and engineering; Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital; Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center; the Owensboro Health Medical Group comprised of over 350 providers at more than 30 locations; three outpatient Healthplex facilities, a certified medical fitness facility, the Healthpark; a weight management program, and the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center.
On average each year, we have more than 19,000 inpatient admissions, deliver 2,000 babies and provide the region’s only Level III NICU. Owensboro Health physicians perform nearly 33,000 surgical procedures, including nearly 150 open-heart surgeries. Our physicians and staff have 90,000 Emergency Department visits and more than 1.25 million outpatient visits annually. Visit our home page for more information.