Volunteering Opportunities

Lake Forest Hospital was founded in 1899 on the campus of Lake Forest College as the Alice Home Hospital. Since 1942, when the hospital opened in its present location, volunteers have played an important role. Organized by the Women's Auxiliary Board, Volunteer Services is vital to the hospital's mission of optimizing the quality of life by expanding beyond the traditional focus of medical needs to the needs of the whole person. Annually, Lake Forest Hospital volunteers contribute thousands of hours of service and offer a compassionate presence at Lake Forest Hospital.

The hospital welcomes inquiries from new volunteers. Our volunteers are diverse in their backgrounds and ages. Student volunteers interested in pursuing careers in health care find Lake Forest Hospital an exhilarating place to observe and learn. Newcomers to the community find that volunteering helps them become familiar with the hospital's programs and services. Parents of school age children find that flexible volunteer schedules fit their lifestyles. And retirees and "empty nesters" enjoy the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others. Lake Forest Hospital volunteers share their goodwill, energy and abilities in many ways including:

Staff reception desks in the Visitors' Lobby and at the Hunter Family Center for Women's Health
Assist at nursing stations
Work in the Emergency Department
Help families in the Surgical Waiting Room
Provide clerical support
Visit residents and assist with activities at Westmoreland Nursing Center
Serve at the Coffee Shop
Escort new admissions and run errands for the Registration Department
Transport patients to and from service areas
Act as volunteer chaplains

Detailed service descriptions are available for each position in the Volunteer Services Office, and new volunteer opportunities arise often. Assignments are available weekdays, evenings and weekends. We are happy to work with you to find the perfect position that fits your schedule and your interests.

The Student Volunteer Program
High school and college students volunteer at Lake Forest Hospital throughout the year. Many are interested in volunteer opportunities that may lead to careers in health care. Others are simply interested in contributing their time and participating in a rewarding volunteer experience. Applications are now being accepted for the fall. The requirements are listed above. For further information about the Student Volunteer Program, please contact the Volunteer Services Department at (847) 535-6850.

Becoming a Volunteer
Volunteers must be at least 14 years of age and parental consent is required for volunteers 14 to 18 years of age. Our volunteers are asked to commit to four hours of volunteer time a week for 12 consecutive weeks. Every volunteer must complete the following before stepping into an active role:

Complete a Volunteer Questionnaire or Student Volunteer Questionnaire
Participate in a personal interview with the Manager of Volunteer Services
Attend an orientation session
Provide immunization records for measles, mumps and rubella (for volunteers born after 1957)
Provide results of a current TB skin test or agree to have the test at Lake Forest Hospital Occupational Health
Read and agree to comply with Lake Forest Hospital policies
Be trained for the specific service on which you'll work
Wear a hospital identification badge

Discover the Benefits of Volunteering

Personal growth
Annual recognition event
Discounts at the Hospital Gift Shop, Coffee Shop and Hospital Cafeteria
Increase knowledge of health care, hospital programs and services
Attend community education and wellness presentations
Interact with community-minded, service-oriented people
Free flu shots

For Information
Please contact Diane "Dee" Tiffany, Manager of Volunteer Services, at (847) 535-6850, or by e-mail at dtiffany@lfh.org, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Volunteer Sign Up Forms