There has been much change at Oak Valley Hospital District over the course of the past five years. Notable changes of mention would be the addition of Matthew Heyn as CEO, Will Pringle as VP of Long-Term Care and newly elected Board Member Sara Shipman.

Yet Pringle and Shipman are in search of what some may see as change, while longtime area residents will see as a return to what once was.

The duo is looking to rebuild the OVHD Auxiliary. A once thriving group of volunteers, which took a significant hit in the spring of 2020.

“When COVID happened, we lost a tremendous amount of volunteers,” Pringle stated. “Because of the separation that had to happen in the healthcare settings, we lost a tremendous amount. We just really haven’t recovered since the loss of so many people.”

Recognizing the abundant opportunity for volunteers in Oakdale and surrounding communities, Pringle and Shipman shared they feel it’s important for residents to not only know of the OVHD opportunities but the importance of them as well.

“When they lost the opportunity here, of course they found opportunities to give their time and emotion and money to a place that really needed it and we did, but we couldn’t,” Pringle stated of community volunteers.

“Our leadership here at Oak Valley is really trying to make this hospital what it was years ago,” Shipman shared, noting that she and Pringle grew up in Oakdale and know how important the hospital is and was for the community, as well as areas including Riverbank and Escalon.

Echoing Shipman’s sentiments, Pringle shared his own mother has been an Oak Valley Hospital volunteer, working the front desk, for many years.

“It matters to me. I live here and I’m raising my children here,” he said. “I’m invested in the success here. It matters that my name’s attached. It really matters to me. Just saying it out loud covers me in goose bumps, because it means that much.”

As the VP of Long-Term Care for Oak Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Pringle noted his most recent alignment with the auxiliary is one he’s both passionate and excited about.

Active volunteers can find a number of opportunities available at OVHD. Opportunities include: working the reception desk at the hospital, answering phones and helping people check in; the reception desk at OVNRC; becoming a member of the community outreach program or working the hospital gift shop, a one stop shop which was once the spot for community shopping.

“We’re looking at rebranding and revitalizing that whole gift shop,” Pringle stated.

The gift shop is currently temporarily closed for restructuring. A decision which was made due to lack of volunteers, as well as recognition of a much needed rebrand. Pringle and Shipman hope to see it re-opened by late spring and fully staffed with eager volunteers.

“We just need individuals to come in who are excited about working in a little gift shop setting,” Pringle said. “That are excited about product placement and shelving. We’re looking for engaged, excited individuals who enjoy working in that type of setting.”

Both also shared stories of years past and the history the gift shop has held for the community, noting an assortment of items which was always unique and offered more to the community than just a hospital convenience.

“The buyer was right. The product placement was right. The culture was right for it,” Pringle said of the gift shop of past years. “That’s what I want to see it get back to. I want to see the gift shop flourish again. We want to be that spot, where people come for their knick knacks and the ornaments for their Christmas tree. The store itself, really has been run on a volunteer basis and we’d like to continue that.”

Proceeds from the gift shop go back to the hospital to buy equipment and needed goods; a fact which has been instrumental in the past in helping the hospital secure equipment it would not be able to purchase otherwise.

“There’s a tremendous amount of equipment we’ve purchased over the years, much needed equipment. It was just too expensive and the auxiliary took care of it,” Pringle stated.

“If our community wants our hospital to stay, we need those funds and that money,” Shipman said, adding how fortunate she feels as a community member to not only have a hospital within the community, but to have individuals like Heyn and Pringle at the helm working on behalf of OVHD.

“What he’s done for this department, it’s incredible,” Shipman said of Pringle and his impact on the Nursing and Rehab Center. “Just the numbers and the comparisons year over year. Pretty impressive just in the last three years since he’s been here.”

Speaking to his passion for the community and his chosen profession, Pringle noted an increase in residents of his many achievements since joining OVHD.

But now the focus is on the OVHD Volunteer Auxiliary and rebuilding that to a level which not only served the hospital, but the community at large.

“We do have a tremendous amount of availability and we would be very appreciative and accept many hours, if someone is willing to offer it to us,” Pringle said of the need for volunteers. “We have so much need right now we can say what works for you.”

Shifting focus to the needs of OVNRC, Pringle describes a desired “shining face,” as the ideal candidate to greet visitors when entering the facility.

“It’s important for us that we have a volunteer who can not only greet them and make them feel at home, but also show them to the appropriate place and we reduce unintended wandering inside a health care facility,” he said. “You can work in activities here as well. That’s very important. Creating a sense of emotional joy. How do we increase joy in the very long day they have at a skilled nursing facility. A lot of that is through volunteerism.”

Whether it be someone who’s skilled in painting and willing to lead a painting class or help put on a Bingo game, Pringle invites any and all with talents they’re willing to share to reach out and look for opportunity to join the volunteer team.

“I want to find people’s passions that are out there,” he said. “Come in and be passionate here. They have those passions; they just need someone to draw it out.”

Pringle and Shipman have faith in the community and its love for volunteering. A faith which leaves them with little doubt that the auxiliary can and will be what it once was and more.

“It’s just spreading the word,” Shipman said in regards to gaining volunteers. “People were excited to volunteer.”

“I think in our community, there are people out there, that do want to come and do good things. They just don’t know that we exist to come and say I’m your girl, I’m you guy,” Pringle said.

Volunteer opportunities are open to community members of the Oakdale, Escalon and Riverbank areas. To express an interest to volunteer contact Pringle at wpringle@ovhd.com or call 209-848-4187.