Get to Know Our Volunteers
Making health screenings accessible to all
Lynda Ash at MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital
As a member of the Ebony Nurses Association of Tacoma, Lynda Ash is committed to breaking down barriers to care.
The longtime volunteer provides blood pressure and diabetic screenings at events including Sound to Narrows, farmers markets and garden shows. She also volunteers for Celebrate Seniority’s dental clinics, provides screenings and physicals to students at local high schools and volunteers at COVID-19 vaccination clinics.
Before volunteering at MultiCare, Lynda was a flight nurse in the Air Force for 21 years, and she spent 22 years working for the Veteran’s Health Administration in the emergency and triage departments. Volunteering allows her to continue connecting members of the community with high-quality care.
“It’s rewarding to go in and provide support to nursing staff, expanding their capacity,” Lynda explains. “Every little thing you can do is important.”
Giving back to the community
Son Huynh at MultiCare Allenmore Hospital
When Son Huynh isn’t busy submitting medical school applications, he spends time volunteering weekly in the MultiCare Allenmore Hospital Emergency Department.
“I just wanted to put my feet and hands in more of the medical field and see what it’s like,” he explains. “The emergency department sounded exciting. So, here I am.”
Volunteering allows him to develop his bedside manner and gain valuable experience interacting with staff and patients, preparing him for his long-term goals.
To those considering getting involved as a volunteer, Son has some advice: “It’s not something you have to do, but it’s something you can and should do,” Son explains. “For me, it’s about having a positive impact on the community that raised me.”
Growing and giving back
Maura Castillo at MultiCare Maple Valley Clinic
For high school student Maura Castillo, volunteering has helped her find purpose and inspires her to grow into the best version of herself.
As a door screener at MultiCare Maple Valley Clinic, she greets patients and families the moment they walk through the door, answering questions, managing COVID-19 screening procedures and directing them to their appointment rooms.
The high school student has logged more than 275 hours since joining MultiCare in August 2021. She was inspired to get involved by her grandmother, an employee at MultiCare Auburn Medical Center.
Seven months into her volunteering journey, Maura has noticed her experience is helping her come out of her shell.
“I used to be very shy and quiet, but now I’ll go up to somebody and ask how they’re doing instead of sitting in the corner,” she explains. “It’s really fun. I love it here.”