Each year, Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County, Willingboro, relies on volunteers to support its many patient care and charitable activities.

“Volunteers at Lourdes Burlington are an important part of our hospital family. Our volunteers are essential to keeping the hospital’s ministry of healing and service alive,” explained Ceil VanEmburgh, director of Volunteer and Hospitality Services for Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County.

Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County was founded in 1961 as the former Rancocas Hospital. It was purchased in the late 1990’s by Lourdes Health System, one of southern New Jersey’s leading health care providers. Sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, New York, Lourdes’ mission is dedicated to their tradition of serving all with reverence, compassion and integrity in a simple, joyful and hospitable manner. In 2013, Lourdes Burlington will celebrate15 years with the health system.

The 249-bed community hospital is known for its expertise in cancer, bariatric, orthopedic, urologic, general and minimally invasive surgery, cancer services, wound care and behavioral health.

The medical center is home to Lourdes Specialty Hospital of Southern New Jersey, a unit for long-term acute-care patients, and Living Springs at Lourdes, a unique voluntary inpatient program designed to accommodate the behavioral health needs of service women, veterans, spouses and female adult dependents.

As the only faith-based hospital in Burlington County, Lourdes is proud of its emphasis on spirituality and reverence for the whole person. “Serving others is a special gift,” said Sister Maureen Shaughnessy, vice president of Mission for Lourdes Health System. “Our volunteers give not only their time, but their self, in the form of smiles, encouraging words and genuine acts of kindness. Their contribution is often one of the most precious gifts our patients, physicians and staff receive.”

The hospital is currently in need of adult volunteers for Main lobby Information Desk; Rosewood Gift Shop; Same Day Surgery Center; Cafeteria; Auxiliary-run thrift store located in nearby Riverside.

The Auxiliary’s Rosewood Gift Shop and thrift store help to support services and amenities for the hospital, such as the more recent addition of televisions to make waiting areas more comfortable for families. It also supports the Lourdes Caring Boutique, a unique service to help cancer patients locate wigs and prostheses to help with their recovery. The auxiliary also assists in donations of coats and blankets during cold winters and clothing for area families in need.  

Volunteers at Lourdes Burlington must be at least 18 years of age, be able to speak English clearly and must have good customer service skills, as they are representing the hospital.

Prospective volunteers must be able to stand for periods at a time. All applicants are asked to fill out a volunteer form, provide two references and consent to a background check. They must also receive a PPD screen to test for Tuberculosis. The test is done at the hospital and is offered at no charge to volunteers. Volunteers are generally scheduled to help one day per week for two to four hours.

For more information and to access volunteer forms, visit the Lourdes website at: http://www.lourdesnet.org/support/volunteering.php  or, call Volunteer Services at (609) 835-3045.