Emma McIntyre’s story

Diverse teen group becoming community leaders.

— Emma McIntyre, Volunteen Board volunteer

Read the story of Emma McIntyre, a volunteer with AU Health’s Volunteen Board, as we celebrate National Volunteer Week:

I began volunteering at Augusta University during the summer three years ago, and I’ve worked in three different areas — legal affairs, the ICU and oral and maxillofacial surgery. I try to be useful and do whatever the staff needs help with, while getting to explore different career ideas in the medical field.

After my first summer, I got involved with the Volunteen Board, and I now serve as its president. The board is made up of young summer volunteers, and we work together with local charities throughout the year to help people in our community. Recently we did a craft and pizza day for children staying at the Ronald McDonald House on the AU Health Sciences Campus. Last year, we threw a birthday party for children at the Hope House, a place where mothers struggling with substance abuse addiction can get help.

My volunteer work has been so rewarding: I appreciate the opportunities I’ve had to explore career options; I enjoy working with students my age who share a lot of the same interests; and it feels good to help children and others in our community who can use a hand.