Mercy Hospital Ardmore is actively recruiting local residents to volunteer. The hospital’s volunteer team decreased significantly over the last two years.
Mercy Ardmore needs community members of all ages to serve families and visitors in a variety of non-clinical roles.
“We want to debunk the myth that volunteering is just for seniors or teenagers looking for volunteer hours for college applications,” said Charles Spencer, director of guest services at Mercy Hospital Ardmore. “Volunteering at Mercy really is for everyone, and our volunteers are an invaluable part of our health care team.”
Volunteers can commit to as little as eight hours a month or as much as 40 hours a week. They run the hospital’s gift shop, greet visitors at the front desk, help patients navigate the campus, sell popcorn, help families waiting for their loved ones to come out of surgery and serve co-workers and families welcoming new lives at the Mercy Birthplace.
“Volunteering is a great way for anyone to stay active and healthy,” said Dr. Jeff Rother, a primary care physician at Mercy in Ardmore. “Having that sense of purpose along with social interaction are key contributors in fighting loneliness and depression.”
Fundraising efforts from volunteers also help finance important projects for patients and visitors at the hospital.
Rick Baggett is a retired pastor who has volunteered at Mercy Hospital Ardmore for five years. He sells popcorn on Tuesdays to raise money to help fund those projects. His shift means much more to him than popcorn sales.
“It gives me an opportunity to be with people, a chance to shine a light and bring a little hope,” Baggett said. “The gift shop and popcorn machine are a light on a hill to visitors. You don’t go to the hospital for great reasons usually, so when people smell the popcorn all the way over in surgery and they come over to me, it makes my day."
Volunteers can pick their preferred area of service or allow Mercy to place them in areas of greatest need.
“I think the hospital is one of the safest places in town,” Baggett said. “When we have patients with COVID or any other illness, everyone takes all the precautions, sanitizes, and we wear masks.”
Dee Smith, a volunteer for eight years, said the people are what make volunteering rewarding.
“I normally work in the surgery waiting area,” Smith said. “I’m there to help the families. I also help the nurses and doctors. Without my assistance, it would take time away from health care staff and what they need to get done.
Both Smith and Baggett hope more people of all ages will be open to the idea of volunteering at Mercy Hospital Ardmore.
“It’s a wonderful way to give your time,” Smith said. “It doesn’t cost anything, but it’s very rewarding for you, and it’s a big help for the hospital and community.”
“There is such a great need for volunteers, I would encourage people to come and talk to us and see what we do,” Baggett said. “It’s not hard work, it’s not a big commitment. I enjoy this so much I would pay to have this job.”
For more information or to sign up with Mercy Hospital Ardmore volunteer services, please visit “I normally work in the surgery waiting area,” Smith said. “I’m there to help the families. I also help the nurses and doctors. Without my assistance, it would take time away from health care staff and what they need to get done.”
Both Smith and Baggett hope more people of all ages will be open to the idea of volunteering at Mercy Hospital Ardmore.
“It’s a wonderful way to give your time,” Smith said. “It doesn’t cost anything, but it’s very rewarding for you, and it’s a big help for the hospital and community.”
“There is such a great need for volunteers, I would encourage people to come and talk to us and see what we do,” Baggett said. “It’s not hard work, it’s not a big commitment. I enjoy this so much I would pay to have this job.”
