Meet Mike and Geri Jambretz. According to
Associate Chaplain Mike Jambretz, there is no better area of
Campbell County Memorial Hospital to volunteer than the
Dialysis unit. Patients are there for three to four hours at a time, giving Mike a chance
to carry on a conversation until it’s finished.
Mike began volunteering at CCH after suffering a heart attack—an
experience he considers a call from God. He and his wife owned and operated
the Gillette Cheese House, which closed two years ago. Now he spends four
to six hours a week doing what he wants to do in retirement.
He considers it a joy to spend time with patients and come alongside them,
when most of the time it’s (dialysis) not a pleasant experience.
His wife Geri agrees. She volunteers regularly in Oncology at the
Heptner Cancer Center, even though she has some significant health issues herself. Geri says
that just being able to listen can make a difference. She says it takes
a while for some patients to even want to talk during treatment, but sharing
her experiences and things they both may have in common, like grandchildren,
can build trust and rapport. She says she offers comfort, care and compassion
at a time when people are uncertain, sad or even angry.
Mike has volunteered a total of 918 hours and Geri 235 hours since 2012.
Mike and Geri embody the spirit of volunteerism—giving her time for
the opportunity to help others. Thank you, Mike and Geri for all that
you do for CCH and this community.
If you're interested in learning more about volunteering with CCH,
please contact Volunteer Coordinator Chris Buxton at 307.688.1536 or visit
www.cchwyo.org/volunteers.