"The benefit of working with AIDS patients at Presbyterian is that one is actually relieving suffering in our community," said Bryan Hughes, a social worker who coordinates the efforts of volunteers working with adult AIDS patients at Presbyterian. "We have wide-ranging needs: for 'friendly visitors'--people to help at mealtime, translate, read to patients, or even sit with visiting children. We can use clerical help, to send letters to patients who have missed follow-up visits, or help patients fill out forms for Medicaid, or food stamps. Volunteers can help the recreation therapist. We even could use a pianist."
Volunteers receive a general orientation and one specific to AIDS service. They get a free physical examination and can get a free Hepatitis-B vaccine. Because of these "perks," volunteers are asked for a firm commitment to the particular time of the week and length of service they have chosen.
Assisting the AIDS Unit can also further an interest in science and medicine, or in the latest methodologies of the fight against AIDS. Volunteers are welcome to join physicians' grand rounds on the ward on Friday mornings and discuss patient medical, social and psychological situations. In fact, current volunteers include two pre-med students not from Columbia.
"Work is not only assigned to benefit the patient, but is balanced to the volunteer's preferences," Hughes said.
There is a particular need for persons bilingual in Spanish and English or Creole and English. Volunteers are especially needed on Sunday and on mornings throughout the week. In winter, recruits are doubly appreciated. A free bus shuttles between the Morningside and Health Sciences campuses weekdays from 7:30 am to 11:50 pm. For more information about assisting people with AIDS at Presbyterian, contact Andres Nieto at 212-305-2542.
- Brad Macdonald
HS Administrative Information Systems