See What our Volunteers Have to Say

Susie Walker, Volunteer Registered Nurse

“I love volunteering for CVIM because they believe everyone should have equitable access to healthcare. All the volunteers and paid staff are some of the kindest and caring people I have ever met. Even after exams are complete in the clinic, I see them doing follow-up calls to check in on the patient. CVIM fully embraces the "full body" care concept, which is not just about bodily health. They also provide mental/behavioral health, dental care, vouchers for vision screenings, medications, and recommendations for other community resources so that patients can live their best lives.”

Arnie Rosenshine, Information Technology Volunteer

He Came for a Vaccine. He Stayed to Volunteer.

When Arnie came to CVIM in early 2021, he wasn't looking for a volunteer opportunity. He was looking for a COVID-19 vaccine.

A Buffalo native raised in State College who had recently returned to the area, Arnie was grateful for the opportunity to be vaccinated at a time when appointments were difficult to find. With a background in medical physics, he wondered whether his experience might also be useful to CVIM. So while receiving his first dose, he asked the volunteer provider a simple question: Could CVIM use another volunteer? Three days later, he was put to work.

Arnie joined CVIM's COVID-19 Vaccination Data Entry team during an extraordinary period when the organization was providing more than 40,000 vaccine doses to the community in addition to its regular patient care. He worked closely with Finance & Technology Director Becky Schrope and eventually helped manage the vaccination data entry team.

As the need for mass vaccination clinics began to wind down, Arnie didn't.

Instead, his volunteer role evolved. By late 2022, he was helping with CVIM's day-to-day technology needs and planning for the move to the clinic's new home on Sandy Drive in State College. Today, he continues to help keep CVIM's technology running smoothly and securely, troubleshooting problems, supporting technology needs at events, and helping protect the sensitive information entrusted to CVIM.

The move to Sandy Drive remains one of his proudest memories. CVIM doubled its space and resumed patient care after just one scheduled week of downtime.

“It still amazes me that we managed to move from our old clinic, double our size, and resume patient care in just one week,” Arnie said. “A testament to the dedication of our entire team of volunteers and staff.”

But ask Arnie what keeps him coming back, and his answer has less to do with technology.

“Helping CVIM and our patients is an honor, the most important work I have ever done. It is a daily reminder of the essential human decency of helping our neighbors and of the principle that access to medical and dental care should be a basic human right, not a privilege reserved for those who can afford it.”

Finance & Technology Director Becky Schrope and eventually helped manage the vaccination data entry team.

Becky Schrope works with Arnie regularly and says he never gives up until he has found the best solution to a technical problem. “He is a joy to work with and a dedicated volunteer. We are very lucky to have him.”

And the feeling is mutual. “I take great pride and comfort in working with a team of like-minded volunteers and staff, all dedicated to CVIM's mission,” Arnie said. “More than colleagues and friends, they are like a second family.”

That sense of connection continues today. Arnie can be found solving a technology problem one day, making sure things run smoothly at a CVIM event another, or sharing a laugh with fellow volunteers and staff.

CVIM is an important part of Arnie's life, but hardly the only one. A licensed pilot and scuba diver, he has also been involved in broadcast and amateur radio and once volunteered with a hyperbaric chamber that treats diving injuries. And on quieter days at CVIM, you may hear classical music drifting from his desk in the Server Room.

Like so many CVIM volunteers, Arnie brings a lifetime of interests, experiences, and expertise with him when he walks through the clinic doors.

What began with a COVID-19 vaccine in 2021 has become years of service to the community where Arnie grew up.

And his message to others considering volunteering is simple: “Your work at CVIM will truly make a difference in the lives of our patients and your colleagues here.”

Geoffrey Landers-Nolan, Volunteer Counselor

He also wants more people to know these services are available. "Lots of people still don't realize CVIM has mental health services," he says.

Working with CVIM patients has also given Geoff the opportunity to connect with people from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. "I've been struck by the breadth of backgrounds, experiences, and personalities across the people I've had the opportunity to work with as clients."

Asked to describe CVIM in one word, Geoff doesn't hesitate: vital. "I find great meaning in being able to provide healthcare without cost," Geoff says. "Healthcare should not ever be pay-walled. I'm grateful to have a structure within CVIM that lets me put some of that belief into action."

"It's humbling to be part of an organization that directly supports the survival of some members of our community. I'm glad each patient we serve lives here, and I'm glad we exist to serve them too."

Outside of his therapy practice and volunteer work, Geoff enjoys watching college and professional sports, cheering on his nieces at softball and basketball games with his wife, spending time at the beach, and trying to learn bass and guitar through an online video game. "I'm still terrible," he laughs.

When asked why others should consider volunteering, Geoff points to both the community impact and the opportunity to give back.

"None of us have made it to where we are on our own," he says. "It's part of what I believe we owe each other to give back by using our skills to help our community."

Putting a Belief in Accessible Care Into Action

For volunteer counselor Geoffrey Landers-Nolan, giving back isn't just a professional responsibility; it's a personal belief.

Geoff spends most Fridays meeting with CVIM patients through telehealth. He says one of the things he values most about CVIM is its collaborative approach to care.

"We have a therapist meeting where all the mental health volunteers, including case managers, counselors, and our psychiatrist, meet to talk about client care," he says. "I love the integrated care aspect of CVIM, and I think it enhances client outcomes greatly."

Geoff works full-time as a therapist, but he believes everyone deserves access to care, even when insurance isn't an option.

John Conroy, Board Member and Past Board Chair

A Q&A with past board chair John Conroy

For 25 years, John Conroy has been part of the CVIM story. His involvement began with CVIM’s founders, and over the years, his service has included leadership on the Board of Directors and, most recently, serving as Board Chair. Over a quarter-century, he has watched the organization grow, change and continue to serve the people of Centre County.

We asked John to reflect on his years with CVIM, what keeps him involved and what he believes matters most about the organization’s work.

What first drew you to CVIM?

John: I started working with the founders 25 years ago and have been involved ever since.

What was it about CVIM’s mission that resonated with you?

John: Helping people who are underserved in our society.

Looking back on your time as Board Chair, what are you most proud of?

John: Helping Paula settle into the role of CEO and navigating personnel issues.

After 25 years with CVIM, what is one thing you think has changed—and one thing that hasn’t?

John: The beautiful facility compared to where we started. The purpose has not changed, but has changed so many lives.

What keeps you involved with CVIM today?

John: It’s a fantastic organization staffed with very special employees and volunteers.

When you think about CVIM’s future, what gives you hope?

John: How much the staff and volunteers are dedicated to the mission.

What is one word you would use to describe CVIM, and why?

John: Selfless.

If you could tell every volunteer and donor one thing, what would it be?

John: I don’t think the public comes close to realizing the need in our community.

What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?

John: I was born in Alaska.

A quarter-century of commitment

John’s connection to CVIM has spanned a remarkable period of growth and change. The facility may look very different from the one where CVIM began,
but from John’s perspective, the most important thing hasn’t changed at all: the purpose.

For 25 years, that purpose has been helping people who are underserved in our community. And that, perhaps more than anything, explains
why John has stayed involved.

Thank you, John, for 25 years of service, leadership and commitment to CVIM and to the people we serve.

Myrta Mathews, Volunteer Interpreter

For Myrta, one of the greatest rewards of volunteering is the gratitude she sees every day and the satisfaction that comes from helping others. “Patients are so thankful for the care.”

Myrta earned a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from the Universidad of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, a master’s degree in Community Health Education from the University of Massachusetts, and a Ph.D. in Health Education from Penn State. Before retiring, she spent more than two decades teaching at Penn State, including courses in Basic Spanish, Intermediate and Advanced Spanish for Students in Medical- Related Fields, and health education. Many of her students became inspired to continue outreach work beyond the classroom, participating in health-related experiences in Costa Rica and other

communities.

Today, Myrta continues using those same skills to support patients at CVIM. One thing she wishes more people understood about CVIM is the wide range of

services available to patients. “People often come in knowing about one service, but then find out we offer other support, like medication assistance, that can help them a well,” she says.

Outside of CVIM, she enjoys walking, cooking, and reading, especially books related to health and medical history. Recently, she was fascinated to learn about the history of tuberculosis treatment and how sanitariums were once used in the United States to help control the spread of disease.

Volunteers like Myrta help ensure that patients not only receive healthcare, but also understanding, reassurance, and connection.

Thank you, Myrta, for giving your time, compassion, and talents to CVIM.

Connecting Patients to Care Through Language and Compassion

For five years, Myrta has served as a volunteer interpreter at Centre Volunteers in Medicine, helping Spanish-speaking patients feel informed, supported, and understood throughout their healthcare experience.

Myrta assists with incoming telephone calls, accompanies patients to medical and dental visits when requested, and works closely with CVIM’s Case Management and medication assistance teams. Her role goes far beyond translation; she helps patients better understand diagnoses, treatment instructions, and available resources so they can confidently navigate their care.

Her path to volunteering at CVIM reflects a lifelong commitment to education and community health. “Volunteering means being helpful and giving back,” she says.

Gail Hurley, Front Desk Volunteer

Finding Purpose in Giving Back

When Gail Hurley retired from Penn State’s Student Affairs department after a decades-long career, she faced a question that many retirees encounter: What comes next? For Gail, the answer was simple—giving back to the community that had been her home for over 40 years. Today, Gail is a dedicated volunteer receptionist at Centre Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM), and her story is an inspiring reminder of the power of community service.

“I always knew I wanted to give back,” Gail shares. “Throughout my career, I was surrounded by incredible mentors and colleagues who dedicated their lives to helping others. When I retired, I felt I still had more to give, and I wanted to find a way to make a difference.”

Gail’s journey to CVIM began with her desire to find purposeful work in this new phase of her life. Though she had volunteered for various organizations in the past, she was looking for deeper commitment. One day, she came across an

opportunity to volunteer at CVIM, and despite not having a medical background, Gail jumped at the opportunity to get involved.

“I’ve always been fascinated by medicine and how it transforms lives,” Gail explains. “Even though I’m not a doctor or nurse, I knew I could contribute in other ways. Becoming a receptionist was the perfect fit.”

As one of the first points of contact at CVIM, Gail plays a critical role in ensuring every patient feels welcomed and valued. “I always try to greet people with a smile. Not just on my face, but in my voice,” she says. “It’s about treating every person with dignity and making them feel comfortable, especially since visiting a medical office can be intimidating.”

Beyond her work at the reception desk, Gail has embraced additional opportunities to support CVIM. From helping with fundraisers like the annual Battle of the Minds trivia event to assisting with the clinic’s move to a larger facility, Gail’s commitment to the organization runs deep. “Being part of CVIM is about more than just volunteering,” she says. “It’s about being part of a mission and connecting with a community of people who share the same passion for helping others.”

For Gail, the relationships she’s built with patients, staff, and fellow volunteers are just as meaningful as the work itself. “Volunteering at CVIM has introduced me to so many incredible people I might never have met otherwise. It’s truly a special environment where everyone is working toward a common goal.”

Gail encourages others to get involved with CVIM, regardless of their background. “You don’t need to be a healthcare professional to make a difference,” she emphasizes. “Whether you’re answering phones, helping with events, or providing care, every contribution matters.” As Gail reflects on her years with CVIM, one thing is clear: she has found purpose and fulfillment in giving back. “Volunteering here fills my heart. It reminds me that we’re all in this together, and we can all do something to make a difference.”

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