National Volunteer Week is April 27 – May 3. To celebrate, we’re highlighting a few of our incredible volunteers.
Name: Veronica Mackenzie
Pronouns: She/Her
Title & Department: Ultrasound and Co-President of Association of Volunteers
On the WCH team for: 3 years
1. What does your typical day look like volunteering at WCH?
I volunteer in the Ultrasound Department on Tuesdays and start the day with getting the ultrasound room ready for the patients. I greet the patients in the waiting area and answer any questions they may have, and then lead them to their exam room. I also keep each room stocked with all the supplies needed for the day and assist the sonographers with anything they need to make the day go smoother. After my shift I often meet with board members on the volunteer committee to discuss our monthly meeting agenda. We organize several social occasions each year with guest speakers from WCH in which all the volunteers are invited to.
2. What excites you the most about volunteering at WCH?
I have the opportunity to make a positive impact with helping a patients feel more comfortable in a setting that can be stressful to a lot of people. I enjoy being part of the ultrasound team and learn a lot from them as they are so dedicated to their practice.
3. How does your volunteering contribute to making a positive patient experience?
I know first hand how the volunteers can lower anxiety levels as I have been a patient at WCH and was greeted by a smiling volunteer who helped me on my first visit. I’m generally a calm person so I think my friendly presence from the moment patients arrive in the ultrasound department, puts them at ease. I try to make patients feel comfortable by answering any basic questions they have, and helping them get settled. I also support the staff by staying organized and attentive, which helps things run more efficiently and creates a smoother experience for everyone involved.
4. Tell us one to three things that we would be surprised to learn about you.
I grew up on a commune in Roberts Creek which is a small town in British Columbia. We slept in tents and had our meals together sitting on bails of hay under a tarped structure that had a hole in the ceiling for the smoke to go up. My parents made all their own food derived from the gardens and farm animals. I was surrounded by aunts, uncles and cousins and thought it was the best life ever!
A big thanks to Veronica and all our volunteers for the wave of impact they make at WCH.