Having done this for a number of years now, I find it astonishing that hospitals are often not very supportive of this endeavor in spite of evidence of the positive outcome. sadly, your ability to crack into a particular hospital is highly dependent on their internal policies and the attitude of decision makers. It's not always based on the best interests of patients. I've been in multiple meetings between hospital administrators and our MH chapter, some highly supportive and some won't give the time of day, then there's the ones who string you along but no closure ever comes to fruition.
Create a presentation, just as a business would and get the decision makers to sit down. If possible, line up some internal hospital support ie doctors and nurses, if you have the luxury use the best "sales" people you have for this presentation.. then give it your best shot. And if unsuccessful, don't hesitate to ask why so hopefully you can avoid pitfalls in future.
All else fails, go back a year later and try again. Chances are you'll be talking to someone different.
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Warren
TucsonAZ
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-24-2018 08:28
From: chris rhoads
Subject: trying to volunteer
Ive been trying to get set up to volunteer at my local hospital to talk to other patients going through open heart surgery. A very nice gentleman called me( so sorry I forgot his name) and said he would get things set up for me and call me back, but I have not received any call back. Its been over a month since we spoke. I would really like to work with MH and start volunteering some time to hopefully help others like me. Can anyone assist in getting me set up?
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chris rhoads
maintenance director
land clearing specialists
beaver PA
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