For more than 17 years, Patty Pawlik has been one of the first warm faces people meet when they walk into St. Mary Medical Center. What started as an invitation from friends at church turned into a calling she never expected and one she describes as the most rewarding thing she has ever done.
Patty began volunteering shortly after retiring, encouraged by friends who thought she would be perfect for the role. They were right. From helping people at the registration desk to guiding patients through unfamiliar hallways, Patty has become a steady, comforting presence at St. Mary Medical Center.
Her philosophy is rooted in giving.
“If you give of yourself, you’ll receive back more than you can imagine,” she said.
She’s seen that truth play out again and again – in the gratitude of patients, in the friendships she has formed with staff and in the joy she feels at the end of each shift.
“Volunteers don’t get paid; the reward is in how it warms our heart,” she said.
Her favorite part of volunteering is helping people feel welcome and less overwhelmed. She sees firsthand how stressful it can be to enter a hospital for the first time and how much relief a friendly face can bring.
“Some people are lost or apprehensive when they walk into a new place, and we make them feel welcome,” she said.
To anyone considering volunteering, Patty’s message is simple and full of heart.
“Think about it, and step up and do it, because you won’t be sorry,” she said.
