Chet Linn, a senior at K-State and aspiring medical student, volunteers in both the Admissions and Emergency Department (ED), gaining valuable insight into the fast-paced healthcare environment. For Chet, volunteering is about more than career preparation; it’s about the human element.
“With a short conversation, I knew that me volunteering here provided value to our patients… just a little kindness and help can better a patient’s or family’s day.”
— Chet LinnK-State Senior & Hospital Volunteer
“It shows how just a little kindness and help can better a patient’s or family’s day,” he explains. His time in the hospital also provides a unique look into “what all goes on in a hospital to keep it running smoothly.”
Chet recalls a specific, meaningful interaction that solidified the value of his efforts. While guiding a nervous patient to Surgical Services for a procedure he had personally experienced, he shared his story. “By the end of our short walk… it seemed as though she had calmed down a little and thanked me for our conversation.” This short conversation confirmed for Chet that his presence offered real value to patients beyond simply completing tasks.
Chet wants the community to know that volunteering is far from monotonous. He says, “Volunteering for me has been filled with patient interactions and forming good relationships with the people I work with. It is way more valuable than just doing certain tasks the staff cannot do.”