Volunteer Spotlight Brought to you by: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THIS WEEK FEATURING: Pat Phillo Once a nurse, always a nurse Pat Philo joined a future nurses club in high school. Looking back on that time, she joked, “I thought I wanted to be a doctor, but it’s better to be a nurse.” But for Philo, it took 26 years to make that dream come true. She started takings classes and to pursue her dream, but left to get married as many women did in that era. Then came children. After becoming a mom, she went back to school and became an LPN in 1979. “I started out as a water girl in 1962,” she recalled with laugh. “I was lower than a nurse’s aide.” By 1988, she had what she wanted. She was a Registered Nurse. She worked in a private office first but realized she enjoyed the hospital setting. “Every nurse finds their niche,” she said. “And working at Mercy Hospital was my niche.” Philo worked in the medical surgical department, assisting with surgery for 30 years. Although she retired four years ago, Philo volunteers her time to help others at the Stehouwer Free Clinic. “We assess vital signs and ask questions,” she explained. “Dr. Glenn Verbrugge comes in and looks at skin issues. He does a lot of everything. I like to come in and help him. You have to keep busy. And you have to give back. It’s just something you do. Everyone at the clinic, that’s basically what we all do.” The Stehouwer Free Clinic is staffed by dedicated medical professionals and volunteers who provide access to health care for the under or uninsured. “People are the most rewarding part of working in medicine,” she said. “The team you have, and the people you take care of. It’s just so worthwhile. I’m very lucky. A lot of people aren’t as lucky to work at what they love to do.” --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted on: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 12:50:32 +0000
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