Donna Brace Ogilvie Volunteer Resource Center
Make a difference at Stamford Health.
Come make a difference at Stamford Health
As part of our Planetree philosophy, Stamford Health is committed to personalizing the health care experience for our patients, families, and volunteers. As a volunteer, our staff will mentor and guide you to ensure that you are well-matched and recognized for your individual strengths and talents. You can choose from a broad selection of opportunities that fit today's busy lifestyles, while at the same time maintaining a focus on the needs of our patients.
At Stamford Health, we are committed to building an inclusive workplace that values diversity and inclusion and reflects the community and patients we serve.
See Our Volunteers In Action
Here is a glimpse of the day-to-day duties of Stamford Health’s volunteers. They support our patients in so many ways!
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Certain volunteers in the Patient Experience Department help with handling our resident therapy dog, Harrison. These two bring joy to patients wherever they go!
How To Apply
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Adult Volunteers
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Junior Volunteers
Adult Volunteers (18+ years of age)
We are currently accepting applications for our summer programs, as well as our year-round roles for adults. For summer-only program information, please click here.
For our ongoing adult roles, such as the information desks, patient-facing roles, friendly visitor, and specialty/Planetree roles such as Healing Hounds, Tender Touch, and Dementia Support, please see our requirements below:
- Submit an application.
- Interview: we will offer you an interview if your needs and availability align with ours.
- Attend required in-person orientation upon invitation. Next orientation: Tuesday, June 2nd.
- Undergo medical clearance, including:
- Proof of MMRV (titer check or documentation)
- TB test (blood test)
- Flu vaccine (in season)
- Background check (Adults only)
For most volunteer roles, we require a weekly commitment.
You may contact the Volunteer Services Department by emailing [email protected] or by phone: 203.276.7521.
SUMMER VOLUNTEERING PROGRAM
We are currently accepting applications from students for our summer volunteer program. Please read below very carefully for details about scheduling and requirements. What do you have planned for your summer already? Will volunteering with us fit into your schedule? You should apply only if you are certain you will be able to make the commitment during the prescribed times we have listed below.
Due to limited placements and high demand, our summer program is very competitive. Please apply for the summer program prior to March 6th. All applications will be reviewed, and interviews will be scheduled, on a rolling basis. We will be holding two orientations for our summer programs: Tuesday, June 2nd (adults/college students) and Friday, June 19th (juniors). All summer volunteers will be required to attend one of these in-person orientations, without exception.
The adults summer program runs for 9 weeks, from the week of June 8th through the week of August 3rd. The juniors program runs 8 weeks from the week of June 22nd, through the week of August 14th.
Summer volunteers will be required to obtain medical clearance prior to orientation. Medical clearance includes documentation of the MMRV, as well as a TB blood test. For volunteers aged 18 or older, clearance may be obtained at Stamford Health's main campus. Volunteers ages 16 and 17 will obtain clearance from their own physicians.
Adults will also be required to submit a background check, provided by the volunteer department after you are medically cleared.
With few exceptions (including the Mayor's Youth Employment Program and the Clinical Research Program), volunteers are expected to commit to a minimum of two 3-hour shifts per week for the period of their program. Please note that juniors' shifts will be scheduled only Monday - Friday from 8 am to 6 pm.
Due to the limited time frame of the summer session, we cannot accommodate more than one week of vacation (which will lengthen your commitment by an additional week). Please consider carefully whether you have the time and desire to spend the summer with us before you submit an application.
Junior Volunteers (16 – 17 years old)
We are currently accepting applications from students for our summer volunteer program. The juniors program runs 8 weeks from the week of June 22nd, through the week of August 14th.
Please read below very carefully for details about scheduling and requirements. What do you have planned for your summer already? Will volunteering with us fit into your schedule? You should apply only if you are certain you will be able to make the commitment during the prescribed times we have listed below.
Due to limited placements and high demand, our summer program is very competitive. Please apply for the summer program prior to March 6th. All applications will be reviewed, and interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis. We will be holding one orientation for our junior volunteers on Friday, June 19th from 8:15 am to 2 pm. If you are unable to attend that orientation, please do not apply for the summer program.
Please note that juniors' shifts will be scheduled only Monday - Friday from 8 am to 6 pm. Volunteers are expected to commit to a minimum of two 3-hour shifts per week for the period of their program. Due to the limited time frame of the summer session, we cannot accommodate more than one week of vacation (which will lengthen your commitment by an additional week). Please consider carefully whether you have the time and desire to spend the summer with us before you submit an application.
Apply to join Stamford Health by submitting an application HERE by Tuesday, January 6th, 2026.
NOTE: If you are invited to volunteer, Employee Health will require a medical clearance consisting of vaccination records for Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella. The flu shot is required during flu season.
- We require a minimum of 100 hours over the course of 6 months.
- Our schoolyear program runs between September and June.
- Our Summer Program runs from June through August. Volunteers who participate in our school year program are given priority for admission to our summer program.
Please contact the Volunteer Services Department by emailing [email protected] or by phone: 203.276.7358.
Current Volunteering Opportunities
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BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Objective: Provide support to behavioral health inpatients to enhance their patient experience.
Location: Behavioral Health Inpatient Unit
Time: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 6pm – 8pm. Wednesdays 5pm – 8pm.
Weekends and Holidays 2pm – 4pm and 6pm – 8pm.
Shift supervisor: Charge Nurse
Qualifications and Personal Characteristics:
- An individual with a passion or interest in psychology or behavioral health.
- Experience or education in a related field preferred.
Essential Functions:
- Assist the nursing team by greeting visitors as they arrive in the lobby, and ensuring belongings are secured prior to arriving to the unit.
- Escort the visitors on the unit as needed.
- Participate in serving the patients during the weekly Planetree buffet each Wednesday.
- Coordinating and facilitating evening recreational activities: bingo, board games, etc.
- Support patients in menu selections.
Training:
- The volunteer will be oriented with an experienced unit staff member / educator prior to being independent.
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Department of Research Internships
Stamford Health’s Department of Research and Discovery offers dynamic internship opportunities for students eager to gain hands-on experience in healthcare. Whether you are interested in contributing to cutting-edge research, developing grant proposals to support vital initiatives, or advancing patient care through high-fidelity simulation, our internships provide invaluable exposure to the real-world intersections of healthcare, education, and research. Explore our Clinical Research Intern, Grant Writing Intern, and Simulation Intern positions to find the right fit for your interests and career goals.
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INFORMATION DESK AMBASSADOR
Volunteers assist guests by triaging their needs and answering phones by relaying basic patient and hospital information. There are two information desks: Main Hospital and Tully Health Center. Each function differently depending on their location and the guests they serve. Volunteers are highly visible and are the first encounter a patient or visitor has, which sets the tone for a positive experience. Great customer service skills are essential.
Activities volunteers will perform include the following:
- Meet and greet guests with a warm welcome.
- Direct and/or escort guests to their destination.
- Transport patients or guests via wheelchair to treatment areas or to the exit upon discharge.
- Visit with patients or guests who need companionship.
- Communicate information to patients or guests.
- Deliver flowers or cheer cards to patient rooms.
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RECEPTION AND TREATMENT AREAS
Volunteers are welcomed in other departments as well. Responsibilities will vary according to the departments' needs, but basically be assured that a warm reception, registering the patient in some cases and some general clerical duties might be required. Training and expectations by the staff will be offered.
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PATIENT LIAISONVolunteers are assigned to a nursing unit, where they assist the nursing staff by rounding on patients. They tend to their non-medical needs: visit a lonely patient, adjust pillows, educate on Get Well Network, assist in ordering meals, or most importantly, bring patients' concerns to the appropriate staff member. Patients are more comfortable sharing with volunteers because they don't want to "bother" the staff.
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OFFICE ASSISTANT
Volunteers provide clerical, computer and project assistance to staff. Assignments are based upon experience and interest. They may include organizing filing, make packets or data entry. Computer assignments may include researching information for a special project or assisting with data entry.
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EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AMBASSADOR
Volunteers are an essential presence in this department. They are a liaison between patients, families, and staff. By relaying information regarding time it will take for test results, holding a hand or offering a beverage if permitted, anxiety is lessened knowing they are not forgotten.
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BENNETT CANCER CENTER
We have ambassadors that greet patients, offer directions, or assist with a wheelchair if necessary. They set the tone for the warm environment at the Bennett Cancer Center.
Our infusion volunteers assist in outpatient medical oncology, where patients stay for long periods of time receiving chemotherapy. These volunteers assist with lunches, restocking, and transporting. Conversation and smiles are part of the treatment.
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PLANETREE COMFORT PROGRAMS
A sampling of a few of our special programs:
- Tender Touch offers patients a gentle hand massage, bringing relaxations and the comfort of human touch.
- Healing Hounds is a pet therapy program where owners bring their dogs to visit patients to offer diversion and comfort.
- HAHA - Health and Humor Associates are our hospital trained clowns. They are low keyed in their act and sensitive to our patients, visitors, and staff.
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SUPPORTING OUR PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA
There are many forms of Dementia; Alzheimer's is one of them. In CT, almost 80,000 people are affected by the disease and nearly 180,000 Dementia Caregivers.
The Alzheimer's Association is collaborating with Stamford Hospital on a vital initiative to support our dementia patients. As a volunteer at Stamford Hospital, you'll help provide activities for patients with memory impairment to support patients and families in making their hospital stay more comfortable and familiar with
tool kits provided by the Alzheimer's Association.Contact Us
For more information, call Wendy Froede, Manager of Volunteer Services at 203.276.7185 or email [email protected].
Benefits
Aside from becoming part of the hospital family, you will benefit from:
- Discounted membership to the Sarner Health & Fitness Institute during a volunteer tenure.
- Free flu & COVID-19 shots.
- Participation in events and lectures sponsored by Stamford Health.
- Letters of reference, if volunteer requirements are met.
- Opportunities to join hospital committees.
- Participation in the employee credit union.
- Participation in the Concierge program, which offers restaurant and entertainment discounts and other perks.
Placement
Your placement as a volunteer is based on skills, interests, and availability. All volunteer positions are subject to an assessment period and the satisfaction of the department and the volunteer. Acceptance and placement as a volunteer are not guaranteed to any applicant.
