Bloomingdale volunteer works to put patients at ease

Having worked in customer service roles her entire life, Pat Bieszczad of Bloomingdale certainly knew wonderful care when she experienced it.

So when Bieszczad had a phenomenal experience at Adventist GlenOaks Hospital in June 2010 following hip replacement surgery, she contacted the director of nursing and asked, “Do you need volunteers?”

Since February, Bieszczad has worked at the front desk, greeting people with a friendly smile and a welcoming “Can I help you?” attitude that puts patients and their loved ones at ease.

“I had such wonderful care — even the director of nursing would come in to make sure everything was going well — that I wanted to be part of it,” Bieszczad said. “Some hospitals can prove intimidating, even if you’re not staying there. So sometimes I even tell my story so people understand they are in good hands at Adventist GlenOaks Hospital.”

Occasionally, when Bieszczad has some extra time, she also volunteers with the Humanitarian Service Project in Carol Stream and works on special hospital projects, such as stuffing fliers into bags for health fairs or sitting with patients in the intensive care unit.

“I once sat with a 93-year-old man who was very lonely,” Bieszczad said. “I kept him company for the last half-hour of my shift. He was sleeping and talking in-between, but he was very nice. My father is 94, so I could understand how this man was feeling.”

Bieszczad’s many positive experiences at Adventist GlenOaks Hospital have even influenced her newest career choice. After retiring from AT&T Mobility in Schaumburg, where she worked as a team manager in a call center, Bieszczad decided to return to school at College of DuPage, where she is now studying noninvasive EKG.

She hopes to perform her clinicals at Adventist GlenOaks Hospital, and perhaps even work there after she completes her studies.

In her spare time Bieszczad enjoys reading books like “The Help” and caring for Blackie, the cat her son rescued six years ago from the Northern Illinois University campus when he was as student there.

“My husband and I have been blessed with 41 years of marriage, and we’re expecting our first grandchild in February,” Bieszczad said. “I just wanted to give back to those that are less fortunate. I guess it’s just my nurturing personality.”