Phyllis Helgeson

I joined in April 1987. My husband passed away the year before and I felt I should be doing something for others and not just sitting around at home. It was sort of an excuse to put my best foot forward and get acquainted with new people and make new friends. I first started on the Picture Cart service (I'm still there) going to patient rooms and asking if they would like a different picture on the wall.

In May 2002, I had emergency surgery at Saint Marys and spent 12 days in the hospital, so they I learned how important the Auxilians are to patients, as they were coming to help me. It was then, I decided to become a Surgical Messenger working with the Nurse Communicators keeping track of families, giving them information and updates on their patients having surgery. Now, I tell patients and families that I have been the patient in the bed waiting for surgery and also the family beside the bed with the patient. Not long after that, I decided to be a sub in the Emergency Department and met yet another challenge.

I have loved each of these services. Our Auxiliary/Volunteers have so many interesting places to work. What a great feeling to enter Saint Marys, put on our jacket and head for a service saying "hello" to people we know and don't know.

There have been many, many times I've been happy to be a volunteer at Saint Marys. Probably the best time is when a nurse or doctor says "what a great service and thank you."