News Releases

Carroll Place resident Pat Wright, visitor Pat Morrow, and resident Christine Gossett enjoy the, hand-clapping, toe-tapping tunes of guest musician, Bob Douglass.

Although a relative newcomer to the Mercy Medical volunteer staff, Bob Douglass entertained 22 residents of Carroll Place, a Mercy Medical assisted living community, like a seasoned pro. With an acoustic guitar and harmonica, Douglass played a blend of traditional church and gospel favorites, folk, mixed with a few light rock numbers from Jimmy Buffett, Van Morrison, John Mellencamp and Amos Lee.

“Music has a way of lifting up our residents. It reaches right out there, grabs their attention and brings them to a place and time that all of us would love to know more about. I really enjoyed watching the crowd’s reaction to Bob’s musical selections,” explained Amanda Barfield, Carroll Place recreational program coordinator. “Musicians, artists, storytellers and entertainers highlight our residents’ day. It is so special to have talented volunteers perform.”

Douglass, a former business CEO and Alabama native, had worked in Florida, Louisiana and Kentucky before he and his family moved back to Alabama’s Gulf Coast in 2003. He currently has a part-time leadership coaching business, and will be launching a new business—Coastal Home Inventory, for the Eastern Shore shortly. Even with a heavy load Douglass finds time to give to others.

An active Stephen Minister and Stephen Leader in church, Douglass was a perfect fit to Mercy’s volunteer staff. “Volunteering is a natural extension of my personal life mission to help people and organizations reach their full potential and lead a meaningful, balanced life. My work at Mercy Medical is especially rewarding since they are a caring, spiritually-based organization with a continuum of health care services ranging from infants to seniors. The folks in the marketing department are especially great to work with,” said Douglass. Along with entertaining residents with his musical talents, Douglass also is acting as a consultant with the marketing department as it redesigns Mercy’s web site and plans other events.

Mercy volunteers play a vital role in the care of the community. Whether assisting in rehabilitation, long-term care, assisted living, hospice, or helping with fundraising through events and programs, there’s a place to serve at Mercy Medical. Mercy volunteers are from many walks-of-life including homemakers, students, lawyers, college professors, teachers, nurses, physicians, engineers, and others. Someone new to the area or someone who has had a lifestyle change, make ideal volunteers. Other volunteer candidates include high school students in Key Clubs or college students studying nursing, occupational, speech or recreational therapies, or similar rehabilitation fieldwork who need volunteer hours.

For more information about volunteering at Mercy Medical call Judy Hazelton at
621-4445 or email volunteer@mercymedical.com.