Brandon Draksler heard many dinner conversations about medicine growing up with a nurse anesthetist father and a mother who worked as a registered nurse.
Being a young volunteer at Carle Health Pekin Hospital for four to five hours a week seems like a natural thing to do while taking summer classes toward being a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) at Illinois Central College in East Peoria. Interested in pathology and oncology, he is majoring in biology at Illinois Wesleyan University in the fall and then medical school.
“We are very appreciative for hundreds of student volunteers, like Brandon, who share their time and talents with Carle Health at various locations throughout our service regions every year. Not only are they offering a helpful hand to frontline caregivers, but they’re also gaining valuable firsthand experience in the healthcare setting. Many of our student volunteers are either pursuing healthcare careers or discerning if they want to take a healthcare path. Volunteering offers impactful opportunities for these students to interact with a variety of health professionals as part of the team,” Eric Toliver, director, Auxiliary and Volunteer Services, said.
Draksler started volunteering in May, focused mostly on the fourth and seventh floors of the hospital bringing a comfort cart for admitted patients needing a distraction - like a puzzle, a book or even a little conversation. He also makes up basins with hygiene essentials for new hospital admissions and runs specimens to various locations during volunteer hours.
“My main goal is to make the nurses’ lives easier,” he said. “Their energy is so contagious, it really makes my job easy.”
Holly Stoner, RN, manager, Carle Health Pekin Hospital, said, “Brandon is wonderful! He is eager to learn and work on whatever tasks we need him to. He has been nothing but helpful and the staff look forward to seeing him.”
He said a major experience with a patient so far was speaking with a lady who only knew how to speak Spanish. Draksler is proficient in Spanish and conversed with her as well, sharing one of his own books written in Spanish so she would not feel so isolated.
“She also gave me some pointers on my Spanish. It was an overall wonderful experience,” he said.
As a result, Draksler decided to make Spanish a priority in his education and declared it as his minor at Illinois Wesleyan University. “It’s important for healthcare providers to ensure everyone feels heard,” he said.
Ruth Arms, coordinator, Volunteer Services, Carle Health Pekin Hospital, said, “Brandon is a positive role model for the youth in our community. He is hardworking, dedicated, caring and friendly. The patients and staff enjoy spending time with him. Brandon can bring a smile to our faces and he has a positive effect on the hospital environment while assisting others.”
“It is beneficial for our youth to spend time volunteering. Volunteering can increase confidence, social skills, self-esteem and inspire positive changes within the community. We are fortunate to have Brandon volunteering at the hospital in Pekin,” Arms said.
Volunteer opportunities are varied throughout the Carle Health system. To learn more about how you can volunteer, contact Volunteer.Services@carle.com or call (217) 383-6701.
Categories: Culture of Quality, Community
Tags: Carle Health Pekin Hospital, student volunteers, teers