Community volunteer highlight: Janet Williams
Janet Williams became Project Access NOW community volunteer thanks to Lorraine Williams. They both worked at Tuality Healthcare, and they both left at about the same time. When Janet searched for volunteer opportunities in the health care field, she came across Lorraine’s name, and a few knocks on the door later, she was on board.
“Project Access NOW didn’t have any volunteers the first time I talked to Lorraine about the possibility of volunteering,” Janet said. “Several months later the program developed enough to have a place for volunteers. I was right there, ready to go!”
Janet worked with the Pharmacy Bridge program for about a year. “I was struck by how much effort goes into filling a single prescription for a patient, the hoops one has to jump through to get medications for patients.”
In mid-2010, Janet transferred to the care coordination team, which, thanks to her nursing background, has been “wonderful” for her. Janet helps with medical reviews, prioritizes cases for specialties, and helps make appointments.
“It’s very rewarding work because you get to tell people they have a doctor’s appointment. They’re thrilled because usually it’s a journey for them to get there.”
Janet now also works at Linfield School of Nursing as adjunct faculty, teaching health promotion, leadership, and management.
“Teaching provides a nice connection between my knowledge of the world of the uninsured and helping students understand how important health promotion is and how the health reform will impact them.”
The main thing for Janet, however, is “walking out of [Project Access NOW] feeling like I made a difference. That’s what keeps me coming back.”
(February 2011)
