Become a Patient Companion!
We are looking for caring and compassionate individuals to volunteer in a unique role at the following Aurora hospitals: Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center, Aurora St. Luke's South Shore, Aurora Sinai Medical Center, Aurora West Allis Medical Center, Aurora Medical Center-Summit and Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center.
What is a Patient Companion?
Patient Companions emotionally support and comfort patients through listening, being present and empathetically responding to their needs.
Why is this role important?
Research shows that patients who experience more positive emotions, like joy and happiness, heal better. Those positive emotions release endorphins that aid the healing process. On the other hand, negative emotions, like despair, loneliness and sadness, block the healing process and slow it down.
Who can be a patient companion?
The beauty and simplicity of the patient companion role is that those individuals are there simply to be present with the patient. The greatest gift they can bring is compassionate listening. If you can bring a caring heart, open ears, and an open mind to every visit with a patient, you will make a great companion.
How do patient visits work?
Some visits last only five minutes and others may be an hour or more. The companion follows the patient's lead - it is about what the patient wants and needs. In the end, though, many companions will tell you it is they who receive the most from their role. That by giving in this way they receive back many times over.
Companions are assigned to a specific patient unit and visit patients on that unit each day they are scheduled. They also work closely with the nursing staff on the unit to learn more about which patients are in great need of a visit.
How do I sign up to be a companion?
If you are interested in the Patient Companion role please fill out the inquiry form below. Mary Connell, volunteer recruiter, will then contact you to arrange for your orientation and application. After orientation you will meet with the volunteer manager at the hospital you choose to work.