Stony Brook Southampton Hospital Seeking New Pastoral Care Volunteers For No One Dies Alone Program

Stony Brook Southampton Hospital is seeking new Pastoral Care volunteers for its No One Dies Alone (NODA) program which ensures that no patient is alone at the end of their life.

“It is truly a wonderful program—there is nothing like caring for others, no matter what their circumstances might be in life,” reflected Mary Hogarty, Palliative Care Chaplain, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. “The comfort of human touch makes all the difference.”

NODA was initiated by Hogarty and is comprised of volunteers from throughout the South Form community as well as Hospital employees. Volunteers provide relief from suffering, both emotionally and spiritually.

Those interested in becoming a NODA volunteer are first screened to make sure they “meet the values of the program,” as well as “can be a companion to patients of all religious dominations, races, sexual orientations, and ages.”

A free training session will be held on Thursday, January 25 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Hospital.

Volunteers are also needed for “Compassionate Companions,” an extension of the Hospital’s program. It was created in 2016 for the sole purpose of providing companionship to patients seeking company in the absence of family and friends.

“We’re very fortunate to have such dedicated volunteers in our NODA Program and we’re grateful to all of those who are interested in joining,” Hogarty added.

For more information on the training session or to learn about the Hospital’s NODA program, call Ms. Hogarty at 631-726-8296.

Stony Brook Southampton Hospital is located at 240 Meeting House Lane in Southampton. More information, visit southampton.stonybrookmedicine.edu.