Volunteering at Cortland Medical Center

Since 1961, Guthrie Cortland Medical Center has offered unique, flexible volunteer opportunities for all ages. Our volunteers play an invaluable role in fulfilling our commitment to the community and to delivering excellent patient care. Hard-working volunteers can be found in nearly every area of the hospital, and many of our volunteers go on to become healthcare professionals here at our medical center and beyond.

Flexible and Customized

We offer a wide array of volunteer service opportunities that match almost every interest and skill level, ranging from more active roles such as patient transport to light administrative and clerical tasks. Volunteers are often cross-trained to work in different departments throughout the hospital.

Developing Life-Long Skills and Relationships

No matter your age or experience, being a volunteer offers you the opportunity to work on team building, problem-solving, and interpersonal communications while deepening connections with staff, patients, and the community.

Guthrie Cortland Volunteers

Guthrie Cortland VolunteersVolunteering at Guthrie Cortland Medical Center offers you the opportunity to enhance your life while helping the lives of others in our community. Opportunities available include greeting visitors, helping with patient registration flow, transport, and working in Anna’s Place, our volunteer-run coffee and gift shop.

We truly appreciate the gift of your time and energy, so we are flexible and work around your availability. The typical volunteer shift is 3-4 hours, once a week, on a regular basis. To get started, please complete a Volunteer Application  and mail or fax to:

  • Guthrie Cortland Medical Center, Volunteer Office
  • 134 Homer Avenue
  • Cortland, NY 13045
  • Fax to: (607) 756-3375 

Once we have reviewed your application, you will be invited to an orientation and then go through health clearance. Please contact Jarrod Kolodziejczyk, Manager of Volunteer Services at (607) 756-3557 or by email at: jarrodf.kolodziejczyk@guthrie.org.

Hospital Aid

Started in 1905, the Guthrie Cortland Medical Center Hospital Aid sponsors a number of programs that benefit new mothers and children of all ages. One such program, Unit Support, provides sleepers, blankets, socks and other everyday items to children that need them. The group is also one of the co-sponsors of WHALE (We Have A Little Emergency), a child safety seat identification program.

Hospital Aid volunteers also raise funds to support the maternity department. Recent fundraising efforts have helped purchase new equipment including an infant warmer for the nursery, lighted microscope for maternity and “Hugs" child protection system. 

For more information, contact the volunteer office at (607) 756-3555.

Teenage Volunteer Program

Cortland Regional Medical Center is pleased to offer many opportunities for student volunteers in both clinical and non-clinical roles. To enroll in the Teenage Volunteer Program, you must be between the ages of 14 and 18, have passing grades, be recommended by your guidance counselor, meet physical requirements and, most importantly, be willing to make a commitment of time and energy. The program requires a commitment of 40 hours over the summer as well as one Saturday per month throughout the year. Students volunteer in a number of areas including but not limited to:

  • Nursing units
  • Patient transport
  • Clerical duties
  • Nutrition services
  • Reception areas (information & hospitality desks)
  • Coffee shop

Please print and complete our application form to express your interest, including your goals and objectives, and the department you would like to volunteer in. Once we receive your application, it will be forwarded to the department of interest for their review. You will be contacted once a decision is made.

College-age students may also volunteer at Guthrie Cortland Medical Center. Please contact Jarrod Kolodziejczyk, Manager of Volunteer Services at (607) 756-3557 or by email at: jarrodf.kolodziejczyk@guthrie.org for more information, or click here to download a volunteer application. Complete and mail or fax to:

  • Guthrie Cortland Medical Center, Volunteer Office
  • 134 Homer Avenue
  • Cortland, NY 13045
  • Fax to: (607) 756-3375

Academic Internships and Job Shadowing

Whether your academic path is leading you towards a clinical or non-clinical profession, we offer a wide variety of internship opportunities for college students. Guthrie Cortland Medical Center is an exceptional setting to gain real-world, hands-on experiences to grow your knowledge and your skills as you enter the professional world.

Guthrie Cortland Medical Center is also pleased to offer job shadowing for individuals 18 and older. These are short term, non-academic observation opportunities. The person job shadowing does not provide direct patient care. Job shadowing provides a chance to observe healthcare professionals at work. Shadowing is scheduled for a few hours to 1-2 days maximum. We do not offer shadowing with physicians, physician assistants, or nurse practitioners.

For more information about these opportunities, please call Jarrod Kolodziejczyk, Manager of Volunteer Services at (607) 756-3557 or by email at: jarrodf.kolodziejczyk@guthrie.org.

Spiritual Care Volunteers

As a member of our spiritual care team, you will provide compassionate listening, maintain confidentiality, and offer emotional and spiritual support without judgment. You will also receive ongoing training. Evangelizing or proselytizing is not appropriate for this particular ministry.

Please feel free to contact our volunteer office at (607) 756-3555 or complete a Volunteer Application and mail/fax to:

  • Guthrie Cortland Medical Center, Volunteer Office
  • 134 Homer Avenue
  • Cortland, NY 13045
  • Fax to: (607) 756-3375

Once your application has been reviewed, our spiritual care coordinator will contact you for a possible interview.