YRMC celebrates its 2024 student volunteers in graduation ceremony

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Yuma Regional Medical Center (YRMC) hosted a graduation ceremony for its Junior Volunteers Program.

YRMC Volunteer Services recognized 28 volunteers celebrating high school and college graduations this year.

The graduates have donated countless hours and have gained a better understanding of healthcare along the way.

Lydia Blackthunder, YRMC Volunteer Services Manager, said, "It gives them first-hand experience on what it is to work in this environment. In the hospital, they get to build relationships with the different staff members, and explore different careers and opportunities they offer here at the hospital."

We spoke with a graduate who shared how her experience helped her rethink what she wanted to do.

Sala Almulik, a graduating Junior Volunteer from Cibola High School, said, "I got to shadow a Labor and Delivery Nurse, and that was the specialty I initially chose to be in and that did, obviously, change my mind and make me realize how fast-paced it is."

She shared how volunteering benefitted her.

"I would recommend anybody that wants to be in healthcare, and also people that don't want to be in healthcare, just because it does provide you skills beyond the skills that can be used in healthcare," she expressed.

YRMC said these student volunteers can gain hands-on experience and develop job skills to get ahead in their medical careers.

We spoke with Nikki Hash, a Yuma native whose journey from a young hospital volunteer more than 15 years ago led to her current role as the Director of Pre and Post-Surgical Services and Outpatient Surgery.

"It gives that exposure. It lets you have an idea of what's going on, maybe processes, and get your name out there interacting with the different employees and such and the environment," said Nikki. "You're volunteering, you're giving your time, and as a young adult, a young teenager, that's something that's not always around for people to be able to do, so it gives that exposure and experience."

The Director of Volunteer Services at YRMC said all 28 graduates are pursuing or are planning to pursue a career in healthcare.