Transform Your Future: How Our Volunteer Program at LMH Health Launches Careers

It’s rare these days for someone to stick with the same job for their entire career. However, Lauren Perez is breaking that mold. Her journey in health care began as a junior volunteer at LMH Health, and now she’s a nurse practitioner at the LMH Health Heart Center.

Lauren grew up in Lawrence, inspired by her mother, who worked as a labor and delivery nurse. “When I was in middle school, I thought I wanted to be a doctor,” she recalls. “I got to shadow Dr. Stephen Segebrecht, a family friend. My mom really helped me connect with LMH through the Junior Volunteer program.”

Junior volunteers are teenagers who dedicate their free time to help at the hospital. They learn about health care and gain insight into how a hospital operates. Many find themselves in various roles, assisting staff across the facility.

Lauren’s early volunteer experiences were diverse. “I worked in the old pharmacy, counting medication bottles, and the next summer, I helped in labor and delivery,” she shares. “I got to interact a lot with the nurses and see what health care looks like.”

The Junior Volunteer program welcomes high school students aged 14 and up, who can commit to at least one two to four-hour shift weekly. “This program allows students to explore various health care roles and see what fits,” says Shane Heiman, the Volunteer Services manager at LMH Health.

Another volunteer, Ryan Bishop from Eudora High School, was inspired by her health sciences teacher to join. “I’m pursuing a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification. My teacher recommended volunteering at LMH. It felt like the right step,” she explains. Ryan is stationed at the LMH Health Therapy clinic, aligning with her dream of becoming a physical therapist.

Ryan’s path mirrors Lauren’s. After high school, Lauren took a CNA course and worked on the surgical unit while attending college. “I worked in the GI lab while at the University of Kansas,” she says. She eventually stepped into a nursing role on the ICU unit at LMH Health. Lauren later transitioned to the Heart Center, where she feels she makes a tangible difference.

According to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job stability is decreasing among younger workers. Only 25% of millennials stay in the same job for more than two years. But for volunteers like Lauren and Ryan, these early experiences build strong careers in health care.

“The Junior Volunteer program is a fantastic chance for students,” Ryan says. “I felt like part of the team from day one, watching and helping, getting hands-on experience. It’s something to seriously consider.”

Lauren wholeheartedly agrees. “Volunteering at LMH changed my life. It laid the foundation for my career, and I love contributing to the community. LMH invested in me, from scholarships to roles throughout my journey,” she says.

The impact of volunteering extends beyond personal growth. According to the National Health Service Corps, volunteer work contributes to reduced healthcare disparities and improves patient outcomes in communities. Local organizations like LMH not only build careers but also strengthen community ties.

For anyone contemplating a career in health care, junior volunteering could be an ideal first step. It opens doors, offers real-life experience, and builds a sense of community that is invaluable in the medical field. In a world where job loyalty is fading, these experiences can shape and empower the next generation of health care professionals.

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