STILLWATER, Okla. — For Lee Bird, volunteering in the emergency room at Stillwater Medical is more than simply giving back to the community — it is personal. After a 42-year career in higher education, Bird retired to Stillwater in 2019, expecting a slower pace of life. Instead, she found herself returning to a familiar passion: hospital volunteering.
Today, Bird serves as a patient advocate volunteer in the emergency room at Stillwater Medical helping patients and families navigate stressful and emotional moments while supporting healthcare staff behind the scenes.
Bird’s path into volunteering began long before her retirement. Growing up in Phoenix, she watched her parents dedicate their time to community service through organizations like the Red Cross, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and their church.
“I think it started with my parents. They were always active volunteers in their community.”
She said volunteering became a natural expectation within her family.
“We did volunteer work with our church, and many other places. It was expected.”
That passion for service eventually carried into her professional life. While serving as vice president for student affairs at a university in Minnesota, Bird launched a volunteer program that placed advocates directly inside the emergency room to assist patients and families. Years later, after settling in Stillwater, she brought that same concept to Stillwater Medical.
Bird approached hospital leadership with the idea of expanding volunteer opportunities beyond the ER front desk and into patient care areas.
“They did have volunteers helping at the front desk, but not in the back of the house. So that’s what I asked them to start.”
To help support the program, Bird renewed her EMT certification before beginning work in the emergency room.
Now, Bird works directly with patients and families during ER visits, helping answer questions, provide comfort items and offer human connection during uncertain moments.
“In the back of the ER, it’s really about patient centered focus.”
She explained that while nurses and physicians provide medical care, volunteers can help bridge the gap during busy moments in the emergency department.
“If they want a blanket or a family member has a question, or they don’t know where the restroom is, whatever it might be, we can help bridge that gap.”
The role also provides emotional support for patients who may feel isolated while waiting for care updates.
“I recognize that that part of my job is to go into the room, check and see how people are doing, and give them some human contact.”
Bird said every shift in the emergency room looks different, which is part of what keeps her passionate about volunteering.
“It’s a wide variety of things we see in the ER and it’s pretty exciting sometimes.”
Her perspective on healthcare changed even further after becoming a patient herself. Bird shared that Stillwater Medical has saved her life three separate times, including treatment for cancer and emergency cardiac care.
“I am passionate about Stillwater Medical and part of that passion comes from them saving my life three times.”
One of those experiences occurred after Bird unknowingly suffered a heart attack. Initially, she believed the pain in her shoulder came from chasing a bird around her house the night before.
“And she said, you know, you might be having a heart attack.”
After encouragement from a nurse friend, Bird returned to the emergency room, where she quickly underwent surgery through Stillwater Medical’s cardiac team.
“They checked me in and about 30 to 45 minutes later I was having surgery.”
Her experiences as both a volunteer and patient strengthened her appreciation for emergency medicine and compassionate healthcare workers.
“I learn something every day.”
Bird believes volunteers play an important role throughout the hospital system, whether assisting in the gift shop, helping visitors navigate the hospital or supporting patients in care areas.
“They bridge the gap in a number of ways.”
Jeffery Corbett, the Senior Director of Volunteer Engagement & Foundation Programs, explains volunteers contributed more than 18,000 service hours to the hospital last year, creating a major impact for both patients and healthcare staff.
“Last year, 18,337 hours were performed by volunteers in the hospital, which equates to over $561,000.”
Individuals interested in supporting Stillwater Medical through service can become a volunteer, or support initiatives through the Stillwater Medical Foundation.
In addition to her volunteer work, Bird also encouraged community members to become involved with organizations throughout Stillwater, including Wings of Hope, Habitat for Humanity and other local service agencies.
“There are so many agencies in this town that benefit from volunteers.”
She believes service not only strengthens the community, but also helps people reconnect with one another in meaningful ways.
“I think when you’re thinking about other people, you don’t spend as much time thinking about yourself.”
For Bird, volunteering in the emergency room ultimately comes down to compassion, connection and helping others through difficult moments.
“I think we can have an impact on the larger community and it makes us better and I think it makes our community stronger.”
To hear more about Bird’s experiences volunteering in the emergency room, surviving a heart attack and advocating for patients at Stillwater Medical, listen to the full Still Caring podcast episode.