You may have seen them as you enter the main lobby, waiting for your loved one in surgery or behind the desk in outpatient laboratory services. Island Health’s volunteers are an active, dedicated group who help make sure our patients are welcomed, informed and well cared for. Whether they’re the first face you see or they’re working behind the scenes, Island Health’s 79 volunteers help keep operations running smoothly.

One of the newest volunteers to our team is Tony Arant, a talented clinical musician who recently retired from Texas. Tony was part of Baylor University Medical Center’s Arts in Medicine Program, where he played piano for patients at their bedside. A former middle school teacher, Tony was called to become a clinical musician after playing music for his mother when she had Alzheimer’s disease. Tony noticed how alert and engaged she became when he played her favorite tunes and knew he had to make this his life’s work.

Tony now spends his retirement playing piano or guitar at the bedside for Island Health patients as a volunteer. His passion for using music as a form of healing is truly inspiring, and we are thrilled to be able to offer this invaluable service to our patients.

EMPOWERING FUTURE LEADERS

Youth Volunteer Program Are you a high school student looking to gain experience in healthcare? Our youth volunteer program is back! If you are at least 16 years old and can commit to volunteering a minimum of 8-10 weeks for a two to four-hour shift each week, let us know. Volunteering is a great way to learn more about healthcare and gain real-world experience for your resume.

If you are interested in volunteering at Island Health, visit islandhealth.org/volunteer or call 360.299.1397 to learn more.