The way Carolyn Dorn looks at it, if you’ve been given the gift of health, you should share it. A volunteer at Nebraska Medicine for the past 10 years, Dorn has a long history in the health care field and has seen firsthand–what it’s like not to have your health.
Dorn graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Nursing in 1973 and spent the next 33 years in various nursing roles at Nebraska Medicine. When she retired in 2007, she already had several years of volunteering behind her in the clown ministry, a ministry that shares love and laughter through clowning. This gave her the opportunity to bring smiles and laughter to others during difficult times, she says.
Make a Difference
In as little as two hours a week, you could make a difference in the life of a patient and their families, hospital staff and clinicians. Opportunities are available for volunteers 16 years of age or older at all of our locations including Village Pointe, the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center and the Lauritzen Outpatient Center. For more information, contact Volunteer Services or email us at volunteering@nebraskamed.com.
Dorn later became involved in Faith Community Nursing where she spent time volunteering at Nebraska Medicine and continues to work as a volunteer nurse at her parish where she shares her talents and healing touch at blood drives, exercise classes, Bible study groups and prayer shawl ministry groups. Faith Community nurses are registered nurses who practice holistic health in the community using nursing knowledge combined with spiritual care.
Several years ago, Dorn decided to become an ambassador at Nebraska Medicine. As an ambassador, Dorn greets patients and visitors as they enter the Clarkson Tower and walks them to their destination, if needed. “I really enjoy this role because I run into a lot of people I used to work with and I get to meet so many new people,” she says. “It’s very rewarding to me because people are extremely grateful to get help. Many come here very stressed and frightened and are so appreciative that someone can help them. As I take them to their destination, I have time to answer their questions and reassure them.”
Dorn says volunteering is a chance to make a difference. “I feel like I was given the gift of healing from God and this is my way of giving back while I have the time and my health,” says Dorn. “I could still be working and getting paid to use my talents, but the memories I will have from volunteering will last much longer.”
It’s also about balance. “When you retire, everyone wants your time,” she says. “You need to allow yourself time to play as well as giving of your time.” When Dorn isn’t volunteering, she and her husband like to get away to their part-time home in Arizona and spend time with their daughter and grandson. They also love to spend time traveling. The two of them have been to six continents and 44 countries.
“I have always loved the people at Nebraska Medicine and this is my way of giving back,” she says.