University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview Surgery Lounges

The University of Minnesota Medical Center is a large, spread out complex. The Fairview Surgery Lounges on East Bank handle adult surgeries. There are two lounges where the families/friends of the patients wait based on the length of the surgery. As a surgery lounge volunteer, I help direct patients, and monitor their families/friends while they are in surgery. Although physicians always know who they're operating on, they're not always the best at remembering about the  family. That's where I come in. By monitoring the progress of the patient through the surgery I am able to keep the family updated throughout the procedure.

I interact with patients, the families and friends of patients as well as health care professionals such as nurses and physicians. Having volunteered in the Surgery Lounges for over a year, I've been able to develop relationships with the nurses and staff. I've also been able to see changes in the lounges from the administrative end.