Ashley Carlson began volunteering as a greeter at the St. Peter’s Health Medical Group – North Clinic earlier this year
April 21, 2021
It’s National Volunteer Appreciation Week, and we want to extend our sincerest gratitude to the over 150 volunteers at St. Peter’s. Time is a priceless and generous gift and we are fortunate that they choose to spend theirs with us!
Preparing for medical school through volunteer work
Ashley Carlson, St. Peter’s Health Medical Group - North
Clinic Patient Member
Ashley began volunteering as a greeter at the St. Peter’s Health Medical Group – North Clinic earlier this year. She greets and evaluates patients for COVID-19 symptoms by taking their temperature and asking a series of questions before they see their provider. Ashley is volunteering at St. Peter’s to help prepare her for the next step in her life: medical school.
“I play a small role in the patient’s experience, but I am so happy to serve the Helena community in this way. Volunteering is an amazing way to meet people where they are at and give back to the community that has given so much to me,” Ashley said. Ashley is studying biology at Carroll College. In her spare time she enjoys skiing, hiking and boating.
Volunteering together
Art and Rena Bumgardner, St. Peter’s Health Regional Medical Center Patient Escorts
When arriving at the Regional Medical Center, you’ll likely be greeted by the friendly faces of Art and Rena Bumgardner, a couple who have volunteered at St. Peter’s for four years. Art and Rena direct and offer guidance to patients who are navigating the large hospital. The couple shared that volunteering is treasured past time in their retirement years.
“We derive satisfaction knowing that we are providing a needed service at St. Peter’s,” Art said. Beyond their work at St. Peter’s, Art and Rena are also involved with their church and music community, including the Helena Symphony and the Helena Music Teachers Association. They also enjoy traveling and family time.
Volunteering to serve all people in all stages of life
Roger Stone, St. Peter’s Health Hospice Volunteer
A St. Peter’s hospice volunteer for thirteen years, Roger enjoys spending his days making a difference in the lives of those who are receiving end-of-life care. Beyond his involvement with the St. Peter’s hospice program, Roger serves the younger generation as a Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) volunteer.
Before the pandemic, he also served as first grade reading tutor at Smith Elementary School and substitute teacher for the Helena School District. From helping give kids the best start to life to caring for community members on hospice, Roger is committed to sharing his time and talents to improve and enrich people’s lives.
Retired physician puts skills back to the test through volunteering
Dr. Maggie Stockwell, No One Dies Alone (NODA) Volunteer
Retired St. Peter’s Health primary care physician and medical director, Dr. Maggie Stockwell likes to spend her retirement years giving back to her community. Today, Dr. Stockwell is an active volunteer with the St. Peter’s No One Dies Alone (NODA) program, a program that assists patients and their families during end-of-life situations.
NODA volunteers provide reassuring presence to dying patients who would otherwise be alone, offering patients the most valuable of human gifts: a dignified death. She also volunteers at the Helena Food Share, Family Promise and the State Library. Most recently, she put her expertise to work administering COVID-19 vaccines!
