National Volunteer Week volunteer spotlight: Jane Thomas

National Volunteer Week gives us the perfect opportunity to highlight the amazing volunteers who serve Paoli Hospital. This year, we have 160 volunteers who will contribute a total of 17,311 hours. Our volunteers help through many different roles, such as patient transport and surgery desk representative. One volunteer who currently serves as a surgery desk representative is long-time Paoli Hospital Foundation supporter, Jane Thomas. Jane holds the distinction of logging the most hours with our hospital with a total of 14,218 hours from the time she started in 1994. In addition to volunteering at the surgery desk, she also knits baby hats, bonding and prayer squares, and lap blankets for our patients.

Jane was inspired to volunteer with Paoli after seeing the great care her mother received here. She began her volunteer work on the second floor of the original hospital where she was a unit hostess. Her primary tasks included refilling water pitchers and retrieving warm blankets for patients. Over the years, she has seen the work become more streamlined with a greater reliance on technology. At the surgery desk, she serves as a liaison between families and clinicians and sees her main responsibility as offering comfort and support for families who are waiting for updates about their loved ones.

When asked what she would say to people considering volunteering with Paoli Hospital, Jane says, "There are many rewards. The benefits extend way beyond the hours you put in." We salute Jane and are truly grateful to all who support the hospital with their time, talent and treasure.

Volunteer with Paoli Hospital