Record number of teen volunteers complete summer program at USA Health

By Casandra Andrews
[email protected]

This summer, a record number of students from high schools across the Gulf Coast received an up-close and personal look at a variety of healthcare careers through USA Health’s summer volunteer program. More than 70 teens completed 1,700 volunteer hours at the academic health’s systems hospitals.

The annual eight-week program kicked off in June at all three USA Health hospitals, welcoming high school students interested in healthcare who supported patient care and hospital operations while gaining firsthand knowledge about potential career paths.

One such student, Carolyn Do, served as a second-year volunteer at USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital, where she was pleasantly surprised to learn and better understand the impact a patient’s stay can have on their family members and caregivers.

“Often, the focus is directed toward getting the patient better, which is exactly what we want to happen,” she said. “As a volunteer, though, I was able to step in and give extra attention to the families and support systems of the patients. This care ranged from walking the halls with a restless sibling to simply chatting with a parent who hadn’t been out of the hospital for a few days. It is so easy to focus solely on the patient, but this summer showed me that care doesn't just stop there. Supporting the people surrounding the patient is just as important, and even the smallest moments of companionship can make a difference.”

The teens served in various roles at USA Health University Hospital, USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital, and USA Health Providence Hospital where placements are tailored to meet each facility’s needs and the interests of the volunteers. They attend public and private high schools in Mobile County, Baldwin County, and at least one community in neighboring Mississippi.

At University Hospital, teens were placed in departments including Patient Access, Interventional Radiology and with the Jolley Trolley cart, which travels floor to floor delivering new personal care items, crossword puzzles, adult coloring books, and other comfort items to patients.

At Children’s & Women’s Hospital, teen volunteers were assigned to Pediatrics, where they assisted with summer camp activities through the Mapp Child and Family Life Program. These volunteer roles focused on helping create a supportive, engaging environment for young patients and their families during hospital stays.

At Providence Hospital, teen volunteers assisted in waiting rooms, escorting families back to consult spaces to talk with doctors, leading patients to get X-rays before surgery and keeping patient families informed on the progress of various procedures and operations.

Fouad Hujier, a volunteer at University Hospital with the Jolly Trolley, said the best part of the program, for him, was experiencing the hospital community: “I really enjoyed helping and talking with the patients and it really made me feel involved in my community. The hospital environment was very friendly and overall, I enjoyed helping the patients.”

The volunteer opportunity helped make him a better communicator, he said, allowing him to gain a sense of confidence when talking with new people for the first time.

Each year, the summer volunteer program runs for two months, with students committing to dedicated service hours while learning about professionalism, teamwork, and patient-centered care. In late July, many of the hospital volunteers celebrated at Surge Entertainment in Mobile with laser tag, a ropes course, mini golf, and go-karting. Applications for summer 2027 will be available online in January 2027 on the health system’s website.