Park Plaza Hospital has over 1000 full and part-time employees, but even with such a large number, volunteers are still needed and welcomed. 

 "Volunteers must complete an application and go through an interview process and orientation just like employees," said Camie Burke, marketing director. According to Burke, volunteers who are dedicated, over 18, and who likes to work with people are welcome.

One such volunteer, Polly Williams of Pearland, has dedicated more than two years to Park Plaza. She volunteers four hours every Thursday from 8 a.m. to 12 noon in the OR waiting area.

Williams says her main job is to reassure family members that their loved ones will be okay. She answers questions; makes coffee and makes sure magazines are available.

Williams who worked in the accounting department for an electrical company for over 40 years, has been retired since October of 2000. Williams says, "I decided to volunteer after getting tired of cleaning and being at home everyday." Her daughter, who worked at Park Plaza Hospital as a Surgical Intensive Care nurse at the time brought her home an application, and thus her volunteering began.

Williams has shared with her husband and several friends the volunteer opportunities at Park Plaza. She plans to continue volunteering as long as she is able.

Park Plaza Hospital offers orientation class every other Monday from 8 a.m. to noon, for those volunteers who have completed the employment process. Positions are available throughout the hospital and volunteers are placed according to their interest and the hospital’s need.

For more information on how you can become a volunteer at Park Plaza Hospital, please call Camie Burke at (713) 527-5351.