Volunteer Spirit Award recognizes young volunteers at the Misericordia hospital and Villa Caritas

Over the last eight years, Aswitha Saravanakumar has performed many volunteer roles at the Misericordia Community Hospital. From gift shop cashier to COVID-19 screener, emergency room greeter, friendly visitor, K-tour volunteer, nursing ambassador and now lead trainer for the emergency room volunteer program, each role has taught her something different.

“I’ve learned to remain calm under pressure, collaborate with healthcare professionals and support patients and families during stressful moments,” says Aswitha.

Aswitha is one of four young volunteers who have been awarded the Volunteer Spirit Award Youth Scholarship for 2025. Established in 2002 at the Misericordia Community Hospital and Villa Caritas, the program celebrates students who demonstrate leadership, empathy and dedication while supporting patients, residents and care teams. It recognizes outstanding student volunteers in four categories: junior high school (Grades 7-9), high school (Grades 10-11), high school (Grade 12) and post-secondary.  

“The scholarships recognize acts of compassion shown through volunteer service while supporting students in their future educational journeys,” says Brenda Shim, volunteer services manager. “They also highlight the hopeful spirit, respect and dignity youth volunteers bring to the patients and families served at the Misericordia and Villa Caritas.”

To be eligible, applicants for the youth scholarships had to be 13-25 years old; volunteer for at least six consecutive months within the year; have a B (70 per cent) or greater average in the last school year; have plans to attend and complete post-secondary education; and demonstrate outstanding compassion, respect and dignity for patients, staff and the community at the Misericordia or Villa Caritas.

Each applicant was also required to write a personal essay about the experiences they have gained while volunteering and how they have contributed to quality of life for patients and their families.  

Aswitha Saravanakumar, post-secondary recipient

Aswitha, a graduate student completing a master’s degree in public health who was awarded the scholarship in the post-secondary category, recalls the experience she gained over several weeks as a nursing ambassador working with an elderly patient who rarely had visitors. Each week, Aswitha brought the patient a book or puzzle, and the patient shared stories of her childhood and family. “I was able to meet her family one week, and they shared how much my visits lifted her mood,” says Aswitha. “That moment made me realize how something as simple as being there for someone consistently can make a real difference in their recovery and outlook.”    

Sannvi Modi, high school (Grade 12) recipient

Like Aswitha, Sannvi Modi, who received the scholarship in the high school (Grade 12) category, says she has grown personally through her volunteer roles — newspaper delivery volunteer, book cart helper and nursing ambassador — at the Misericordia. “(Volunteering) has helped me become a more confident public speaker, an adaptable learner and a resilient problem-solver.”  

In turn, this experience has helped her support patients and families better, Saanvi says. For example, in her role as nursing ambassador, she uses her problem-solving skills to find ways to involve and engage patients, whether by playing games, reading a book or lending a listening ear. “I offer my comfort and sympathy by trying to make the patient as comfortable as possible,” she says.

Charlotte Kiang, high school (Grades 10-11) recipient

For Charlotte Kiang, a scholarship recipient in the high school (Grades 10-11) category who volunteers as a creative care piano player at the Misericordia, seeing the impact of her contributions is what makes her volunteer experience meaningful. “By creating a warm and welcoming environment, I am elated to contribute to the well-being of patients and their families, offering them moments of connection in a stressful setting.”

Charlotte says she has learned to value teamwork by “seeing how the nurses, staff and volunteers always support one another and create community. (Volunteering) has truly taught me the importance of collaboration in a setting where every person matters.”

Ava Gee, junior high school (Grades 7-9) recipient

Similarly, Ava Gee, the scholarship recipient in the junior high school (Grades 7-9) category, says she has seen how volunteering as a piano player with the music therapy program at the Misericordia can bring joy and connection to patients, families and visitors, who often gather around the piano to listen, talk and reminisce while she plays. Making cards for patients and other special projects has also shown her the importance of empathy and compassion.    

“Volunteering has instilled in me a powerful conviction that even the smallest acts of kindness can significantly impact another person’s well-being and improve their healing journey,” Ava says.  

Because of her experience as a volunteer, Ava has decided to pursue a medical career. She says that she now has a broader perspective on different medical disciplines and that she looks forward to taking on more diverse roles at the Misericordia and Villa Caritas, which will help guide her to the right career path.    

Likewise, volunteering at the Misericordia has prompted Charlotte to pursue university studies in health sciences and a career path where she can “combine compassion with service and continue bringing hope to others.” And it has inspired both Saanvi and Aswitha to embark on their own journeys to become physicians.  

“I started at (the) Misericordia in Grade 10 as a gift shop cashier and unsure of my place in health care,” says Aswitha. “Today, as a master of public health student and aspiring physician, I know these experiences have shaped who I am and reaffirmed my desire to pursue medicine. (The) Misericordia has taught me not only how to care for others but also how to lead with empathy, listen with purpose and never give up on my goals.”