The mission of Volunteer Services is to maintain a support system for the provision of quality healthcare services in accordance with the policies of University of Miami Hospital and promoting an atmosphere sensitive to the needs of all our customers and the community.  To this end, two distinctive programs were developed to establish good public relations for the hospital and to achieve our departmental goals to:

• Augment and expand the services provided to the staff.
• Provide supplemental services which contribute to high quality, cost effective healthcare services and patient satisfaction.
• Create and promote an understanding in the community of the hospital and its services through the individuals that become part of the volunteer department.    

The "Come Grow With Us" program was developed to support the education, career goals and offer teens the opportunity of growing year to year at University of Miami Hospital, and be acquainted with the healthcare field, job performance and our career opportunities. Two scholarships are given annually to teens that have participated in the program, and are pursuing a healthcare career. The program has been recognized with numerous awards from the Miami-Dade County School Board.

The "Professionals Volunteering for Professionals" program was  created for adult volunteers with the concept that regardless of their  background, by offering a high caliber orientation and training process, they will perform as professionals in the field of volunteering and subsequently, provide quality support services to our healthcare professionals.     

The Education Plan and Mentor Program provide competency‑based orientation, continuing education, and training.   The Service Guidelines ensure that volunteers are informed about their responsibilities and how to fulfill them safely and effectively. Volunteers are given the opportunity to serve in departments and/or areas that are directly or indirectly involved with patient care.

The Auxiliary........ An Additional Option:

Cedars Auxiliary Inc. is a non-profit, self-governing membership organization, authorized by the Cedars Board of Directors. The Auxiliary exists to promote Cedars commitment to the community it serves, by:

• Conceiving and supporting new services for those in need.
• Raising funds for worthwhile community causes.
• Recruiting volunteers.

The Auxilians operate the Thrift Shop, sponsor the "Come Grow With Us" Teen program, and many patient service projects such as Patient Bingo, Loving Care and the Patient Library.  They promote education by providing scholarships for our teens, nurses, the Miami Dade Community College students, support and participate in all the hospital's community events.

Membership in the Auxiliary is open to everyone. Members are entitled to attend four open meetings a year, each featuring a luncheon, participate in many of Cedars events, fund-raising functions, and special educational programs.

Whether you are considering becoming part of our "Professionals Volunteering for Professionals", "Come Grow with Us" Programs or joining our Auxiliary, as long as you are motivated to give of yourself, there is no limit to what you can do. The opportunity awaits you to actively join hands with others whose wish is simply to give back to the community, or those who share an interest in maintaining the quality of services provided to our patients.

For more detailed information or to request an application, please call Volunteer Services at 305-325-5529 or E-mail: sonia.martinez@hcahealthcare.com.  Thank you for your interest in our programs and we are looking forward to having you join our Cedars family,

Sonia Martinez, PRC
Director Consumer Relations and Volunteer Services