Mercy Medical Center volunteer Pat Holub sets record for time volunteered

Pat Holub never stops giving her all at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids. That says a lot; she's been volunteering at Mercy since 1982.

To top that off, this steady, reliable woman has logged more than 25,000 hours as a Mercy volunteer, making her the volunteer with the most hours ever donated at Mercy. And Pat has no intention of slowing down.

“I've loved every minute of it,” she says.

Pat has to pause and think when asked to list all the different jobs she's tackled. She started by handing out memos in patient rooms, then became chairwoman of Mercy's televised bingo games for patients, worked at the information desk, served on the Mercy Auxiliary board for more than 24 years, helped run blood drives, baked for bake sales, crocheted afghans for raffles at Christmas and spring luncheons and helped with filing in the volunteer office. She's also helped patients prepare for surgery in the outpatient surgery area, worked in the flower shop and the print shop, given tours and distributed menus to inpatient rooms.

Sister Marilyn Ward, who directs Mercy's volunteer office, has worked with Pat for 18 years. Their friendship is evident in their good-natured banter. But Sister Marilyn turns serious when it comes to describing the difference Pat has made in the volunteer office's extensive outreach over the years.

“In our department, we couldn't possibly do it without our top three volunteers – and that includes Pat,” Sister Marilyn explains. “We all get along well and work well together.”

At one point, Pat not only volunteered, but filled in full-time for a while as secretary for the volunteer office. It was the easiest solution at the time, Pat and Sister Marilyn explain.

“She's so tenacious and dedicated,” Sister Marilyn says of Pat. “She has literally given her blood, sweat and tears to Mercy.”

For Pat, it's all been fun. “I really don't think there was any job I didn't like here,” she says. “I love being with people.”

During this, National Volunteer Week, Mercy Medical Center salutes Pat Holub, and all of its 880 dedicated volunteers who donated 126,138 hours to the hospital in 2012.

Photo Caption: Pat Holub (right) shares a light moment with Sr. Marilyn Ward in the Mercy Medical Center volunteer office.