In the busy hustle and bustle of the world today, it’s often hard to find time to take care of yourself let alone volunteer to help others. However, for David Thomas volunteering his time 2 to 3 days per week at Knoxville Hospital and Clinics came easy. “I wanted something to do and the hospital had always been so good to me and my family so I wanted to pay them back,” said Thomas.
Since January 2007 Thomas mainly assisted the surgery department at KHC. He welcomed the patients after they registered and then would call the surgery department to let them know their patient had arrived. Thomas would escort the patient to the pre-op area and kept the family updated about the surgery process. Thomas would direct the family to the consult room when the surgeon had finished and then to the recovery room so they could visit their loved one.
Although assisting the surgery department is what he did most often, he was always glad to help others as well. Thomas stuffed envelopes, put stickers on Reach Out and Read books for children, and greeted patients in the clinic among many other tasks.
Sue Flander, RN in the surgery department said, “He was always willing to help with anything. He would always go above and beyond.” Deb Dye, Patient and Family Services at KHC added, “He would come in at 7:30 in the morning and would not leave until the last patient had left, sometimes after 5 or 5:30.”
Thomas stated his favorite part of volunteering at KHC was working in the surgery waiting area where he could meet people and help put families of surgery patients at ease. “Overall,” he said, “volunteering just makes you feel good to know you’re helping someone else. It keeps you part of the community even when you are retired. It keeps you active and you meet new people.”
Flander expressed Thomas was a part of the surgery department. “One Christmas I made scrub hats for everyone in the department, including Dave. He would wear it while he volunteered. He was like family. He would do anything for anyone here, including the patients.”
It seems Thomas felt the same way about KHC. “I enjoyed working with all of the staff. It was like a second family just like when I was teaching. I’m sure it’s a wonderful place to work as it was a wonderful place to volunteer. I will miss it dearly.”
A going away party is planned for David Thomas in conjunction with an Open House for the surgery department at KHC. It will be held Tuesday, October 13th from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. The remodeled surgery hallway, pre-op rooms and patient restroom will be showcased. During that time, KHC will also let David Thomas know how much he was appreciated and how much he will be missed.
