By Lori Berkey, Contributing Writer
?Shrewsbury – Every Monday afternoon Mike Kamrad pins a large “Ask Me” button to his shirt and heads over to UMass Memorial Hospital University Campus. Stationed at the juncture of the Ambulatory Care Center and the big parking garage, Kamrad helps patients and visitors ward off confusion. He makes sure those who need a wheelchair have one available. He eliminates frustration by showing people which set of elevators will take them to the right floor. He keeps people who are sick and worried from getting lost in the maze of hallways. Kamrad is a volunteer greeter.
After retiring from his career as a software engineer, Kamrad, of Shrewsbury, felt the need to give back to the community. His neighbor told him about the need for greeters at the hospital, and Kamrad thought it would be a good fit.
“The hospital is where people get well, where they get fixed, and I wanted to be a part of that,” he said.
Kamrad started his post in January. The spot where he's needed is right by the doors so he can meet people as soon as they arrive and help them find where they need to go. It's also the spot where the wind and cold air came at him every time the door opened last winter. Bundled up with a sweatshirt underneath his volunteer shirt, Kamrad withstood the frigid temperatures to fulfill what he said is an obligation and desire to help people. It's that attitude that keeps him there even as Mother Nature taunts him now with the summer heat.
If the weather gets too bad, such as an eminent threat of a weather emergency, Kamrad is trained to handle the crowds. He's prepared to direct people away from the glass area and to get people to a safe spot at the inside corner of the garage. He's trained to deal with other non-medical emergencies as well, and he keeps a watchful eye throughout his greeting shift.
Kamrad said he typically helps about 10 people per hour. If he can's answer a question, he helps people find the information booth inside the lobby. Often people who do not speak English approach him for aid. He looks at their appointment paperwork and points the way.
Wearing an “Ask Me” button can have its funny moments. Kamrad has been asked what the winning lottery numbers are going to be. Although he's not clairvoyant, he can read people's faces, and he mixes having a sense of humor for silly questions with a serious commitment to easing people's hospital experience.
Interacting with all walks of life in his volunteer duties poses a stark change from what he did in his career duties. He enjoys the contact with people and likes being of help.
“I get satisfaction from the smiles and the “thank yous” that people give you knowing that you directed them to the right place,” he said.
Kamrad recommends being a hospital volunteer, and said anyone interested in helping out should contact Jody Stark-Cornetta, director of Volunteer Services, at 774-443-2362 or [email protected].