Meet Jim Fennell, a dedicated volunteer at Northside Hospital Gwinnett. After six years of retirement and experiencing the loss of his wife, Jim sought a new purpose in life. His journey took an unexpected turn during a dinner event, when he met a volunteer from the hospital.
Jim decided to join the Northside Hospital family as an Auxiliary volunteer. Fast forward almost 14 years and Jim proudly wears his "spiffy" uniform.
Jim says, “The staff here at this hospital, from the ground floor up to the towers, they make me feel like I belong here and that’s important to me.”
One day Jim's service proved invaluable when a concerned gentleman coming to visit his wife approached Jim at the front desk. Sensing something was off, Jim suggested a visit to the emergency room first. The man was feeling dizzy and experiencing chest pains. A few days later, upon discharge from the hospital's cardiovascular unit, the gentleman requested to be taken to the front desk to express gratitude to the man who played a role in saving his life.
“It was really kind of wonderful he would remember the volunteers were involved. The staff here, the volunteer staff, I think we all at our core want to help and that's kind of what keeps us coming back here,” says Jim.
Jim encourages those who have a few hours a week to spare and a heart for making a difference to consider joining the incredible team at Northside Hospital.
"Your presence could be the ray of hope someone needs during their hospital journey."
Learn more about volunteering at Northside Hospital.
