From April 19th – April 25th, Mount Nittany Health is honored to celebrate National Volunteer Appreciation Week and recognize the 198 volunteers who strengthen our mission. For Effie Frank, volunteering allows her to offer an empathetic patient experience centered on kindness and care. “Interacting with patients, getting to brighten their day with a smile or greeting —You omit positive energy,” she shared.
Effie is a junior at Penn State studying Pharmacology and Toxicology. As a Pittsburgh local with deep ties to Penn State, she felt connected to the region but wanted to become better acquainted with the State College community. Mount Nittany Health aligned with her values and goals. She started to volunteer at Mount Nittany Medical Center in October 2024 as a Patient Floor Volunteer.
She mainly volunteers on the fourth floor, the Labor and Delivery Unit, but assists on every floor as needed. She delivers lab samples, directs people through the hospital, assists with discharging new mothers, and helps train new volunteers. Among her favorite tasks are delivering flowers to patients and partnering with the Pet Therapy Volunteer Program. However, what sticks out the most is her connection with others. “I like interacting with the other volunteers,” she said. “That’s been one of the greatest highlights of this experience for me.”
Effie is community-oriented. Over the summer, she volunteered at the UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, and volunteers locally with Out of the Cold: Centre County. She’s also part of a pre-med club at Penn State, Alpha Epsilon Delta, where she created an initiative to make Jared Boxes to donate to Mount Nittany Health. She got the idea after stocking Jared Boxes at the Emergency Department. “I thought about all the good that they do, especially in those vulnerable moments,” she said.
Jared Boxes are shoebox-sized boxes filled with toys and activities for children. Boxes are decorated and designed to make each recipient smile. The Penn State students, including Effie, collected and donated the boxes, supplies, and toys for the project.
Effie shared that medical school is in her future and she has a job with a different hospital system, closer to the Pittsburgh area. However, the volunteer experience has allowed her to interact with patients in a different capacity. During her professional work, she sees many vulnerable moments; in contrast, while she’s volunteering, her focus is on brightening a patient’s day. The experience has allowed her see a different side of patients and families while preparing her to work with nurses and other staff members. “It’s been a really good experience,” she summarized.
Effie’s advice for others who are interested in volunteering? “Go for it. Talking to Monique is a great thing to do. Get a feel about how excited she is — that would be a great motivator for people who are interested.”
Monique Behrer is the Volunteer Resources Supervisor at Mount Nittany Health. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a volunteer, visit mountnittany.org/volunteer or contact Monique directly at mtb0523@mountnittany.org.
As we celebrate National Volunteer Appreciation Week, please join us in thanking Effie and all of our volunteers for their service, dedication, and commitment to our community.