Doris Hughes doesn’t know why she volunteers. She just does.

“It keeps me busy,” Hughes said. “And out of trouble.”

When she isn’t at her water aerobics class or playing bridge with friends or with the group at Oaknoll Retirement Residence, there’s a good chance you’ll find Hughes volunteering at University Hospitals, Mercy Hospital or Iowa City Hospice. She also does hospice visitations at Oaknoll, which is where she lives.

Every Wednesday, Hughes works in the patient library at University Hospitals where she checks out movies, books and answers the telephone. On Fridays, Hughes volunteers in the surgical intensive care waiting room “as sort of a receptionist.”

Last November, Hughes received the Heart and Hands award from University Hospitals. The award is given to those who show exceptional volunteer efforts to UI, the local, regional, national and even the international community.

“That was unexpected,” Hughes said.

When the weather is warmer, Hughes volunteers at the Mercy Hospital information desk. For Iowa City Hospice, Hughes helps with bereavement calling. When someone dies, Hughes said hospice keeps in touch with the family for a year “to see how things are going and to see if there is anything hospice can do to help.”

Hughes, who graduated from the University of Iowa with bachelor’s and master’s degrees, said Iowa City has a lot to offer.

“I like everything about it,” she said. “The medical facilities are excellent. I think they have a lot of things for senior citizens, and the climate is not too bad. There’s hot days sometimes and very cold icy days, but not too many.”

And as long as her health holds up, Hughes said she will continue to volunteer.

“Hopefully I’m doing something useful,” Hughes said with a laugh. “I don’t know what else to say. It keeps me around people.”

— Mike McWilliams

Previous | Next