National Volunteer Week is April 27 – May 3. To celebrate, we’re highlighting a few of our incredible volunteers.
Name: Rhea Raghunath
Pronouns: She/Her
Title & Department: Volunteer
On the WCH team for: 17 months
1. What does your typical day look like volunteering at WCH?
I currently volunteer in the Respirology Department, where I support patients as they navigate their appointments. A typical shift begins with greeting patients as they arrive and ensuring they’ve checked in at the front desk. I then guide them through the waiting process, often chatting with them about their day, families, or what they’re currently knitting or reading—conversations that help ease anxiety and build comfort in the clinical setting. Once their physician is ready, I walk them to their appointment room. Afterward, I’m there to guide them to the nearest coffee shop or assist with anything else they may need. This role has taught me the value of empathy, patience, and the power of simple, kind interactions in making someone feel cared for.
2. What excites you the most about volunteering at WCH?
There are countless things that excite me about volunteering at Women’s College Hospital, but what stands out most are the incredible patients I’ve had the privilege to meet. Over time, I’ve volunteered in several departments but one constant has been the kindness, resilience, and warmth of the patients. Their stories and generosity of spirit make every shift meaningful. Equally inspiring are the supervisors and staff who make WCH such a welcoming space. Their compassion, leadership, and deep commitment to their communities make WCH feel less like a hospital and more like a second home. Volunteering alongside them has fueled my own desire to give back and make a lasting impact in my community.
3. How does your volunteering contribute to making a positive patient experience?
As a volunteer, I strive to create a calm, respectful, and compassionate environment for every patient I meet. Whether through light-hearted conversations in the waiting area or simply being present and attentive, I aim to make each visit feel more comfortable and human. I believe that small, thoughtful gestures, like remembering someone’s name or asking about their day, can go a long way in easing the stress of a healthcare visit. My volunteering at WCH and the positive environment I seek to create have extended beyond my weekly shifts and have shaped how I approach care, leadership, and community work. In fact, I was recently selected as a Pathy Fellow, where I will be given the opportunity to use the skills learnt at WCH to serve other communities. This opportunity was deeply inspired by my experience at WCH and the people I’ve met, the patients, staff, and fellow volunteers, who’ve shown me what resilience, compassion, and community-centred care truly look like. Volunteering here has not only helped me grow but also motivated me to carry forward these values in all areas of my life.
4. Tell us one to three things that we would be surprised to learn about you.
I’m a huge puzzle enthusiast—especially when it comes to the 1000+ piece ones. I volunteer at a local animal shelter, where I walk the dogs (though most of the time, it feels like they’re walking me!). I’m currently working on launching a community-based project focused on youth empowerment and prevention of intimate partner violence
A big thanks to Rhea and all our volunteers for the wave of impact they make at WCH.