Making a world of difference

Volunteers make a difference every day at Hutchinson Health. We have many volunteer opportunities to fit different time schedules, interests and abilities.

Some of our volunteers work at the gift shop or information desk, while others work at the thrift shop or help with mail delivery. Sometimes volunteers are skilled with making things, and they knit baby caps and knitted knockers or sew neck pillows, breast pillows, walker bags or Christmas stockings.

No matter where you serve, every volunteer at Hutchinson Health helps enhance the healing experience for our patients and the community. When you share your talents, compassion and energy here, you'll gain new friends, new skills and the reward of knowing you’re truly making an impact.

Hutchinson Health strives to include patients and families at every level of our health care system. One way you can get involved is by becoming a patient and family advisor. Advisors help us in the following ways:

• Sharing your story. Advisors talk about their health care experiences with clinicians, staff and other patients.
• Participating in discussion groups. Advisors tell us what it’s like to be a patient at Hutchinson Health and what we can do to improve.
• Reviewing or helping create educational or informational materials. Advisors help review or create materials like forms, health information handouts and discharge instructions. Advisors contribute to making these materials easier for all patients and family members to understand and use.
• Working on short-term projects. We sometimes ask advisors to partner with us in making system and facility improvements.
• Serving on Hutchinson Health’s Patient and Family Advisory Committee (PFAC). PFAC members meet monthly and collaborate with Hutchinson Health staff members to improve processes, communication and the patient experience.

Interested in becoming a patient and family advisor or joining the PFAC? Contact our Administration office 320-484-4515.

The Hutchinson Health Auxiliary was formed in 1958. Currently, the Auxiliary has over 400 members with 150 active volunteers. The Auxiliary donates approximately 20,500 hours of service each year. Since 1958, the Auxiliary has donated over $2 million of its proceeds to Hutchinson Health.

The Hutchinson Health Auxiliary operates two businesses, The Thrift Shop and The Gift Shop. These businesses are staffed by auxiliary volunteers, and all profits benefit Hutchinson Health patients and the Hutchinson community.

The Hutchinson Health Auxiliary Thrift Shop is located at 25 N. Main Street, just a quarter of a mile south of the intersection of Highway 7 and 15.

Thrift Shop hours are Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Hutchinson Health Auxiliary Gift Shop is located in the lobby of the Hutchinson Health Hospital at 1095 Highway 15 S. The gift shop carries jewelry, clothing, cards and much more.

Volunteers are an important part of the Hutchinson Health team. We couldn’t do what we do without you. Some of the benefits of volunteering with us include:

• Yearly volunteer recognition event
• Supportive staff
• Opportunity to form new social connections

Hutchinson Health serves as a site for the Meals on Wheels program , which delivers nutritious meals to the homes of senior community members facing food insecurity or isolation. Program volunteers provide friendly visits and safety checks that help seniors to live nourished lives with independence and dignity.

To learn more and get involved as a driver, call 320-484-4570.

The Hutchinson Health Foundation serves as the connection between Hutchinson Health and our family of charitable donors. Every gift helps achieve extraordinary possibilities by enriching lives, saving lives and transforming patient care.

To keep advancing, we need your support. Your generosity will help ensure that the best health care will be there when it’s needed for you or someone you love.

Call the Hutchinson Health Foundation at 320-484-4438 for more information.