Meet Courtney, Mercy Volunteer
Growing up on a dairy farm in Northeast Iowa, Courtney learned the value of hard work. In her senior year at Coe College, Courtney maintains a strong GPA while majoring in Biology, Molecular Biology, and Neuroscience, with a minor in Chemistry. While that may seem like a lot to the average person, she also volunteers at Mercy Medical Center and works at UnityPoint - St. Luke’s Hospital.
When Mercy's Director of Volunteer Services spoke to students at Coe about The Mercy Touch, it sparked Courtney’s interest.
“It spoke to me," she said. "I not only wanted to get my foot in the door but wanted patient interaction.”
Courtney has been part of the Mercy Ambassador program throughout college, working twice a week in Hallmar, on the 7th floor, and in the Emergency Department.
“I love how you can develop close relationships with patients in Hallmar," she said. "There’s not as much patient contact in the Emergency Department because they’re not there as long. But, in a way, it’s more critical as an Ambassador. It’s a way to make more of an impact that we care at Mercy.
“When you hear ‘Mercy Touch’, you think of the patients. It’s warm and comforting. I’ve seen the wonderful nurses and doctors here at Mercy and how comforting they are with the people they treat. It is how I’d want to be treated if I were a patient.”
It’s no surprise that Courtney picks Compassion as the Mercy ICARE Value she finds most meaningful.
“Patients in the Emergency Department can be tougher," she said. "Some have been passed by, had their pain overlooked or told it’s not real. At Mercy, every patient is treated with respect. I see compassion at Mercy and it makes me happy to be a part of it.”
