University Health System (UHS) has served the San Antonio community for over 100 years as a celebrated pillar of the medical community. UHS fills the needs of our community as a nationally recognized teaching hospital and premier Level 1 trauma center for adult care. It is also the only Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center in South Texas that cares for children with serious burn injuries as well as having the only civilian-military trauma partnership in the nation.

These accolades, along with University Hospital’s mission to strive to be compassionate and foster a culture of excellence, kindness and respect for the San Antonio community is one of the many reasons that the Junior League of San Antonio is proud to call UHS a Community Partner.

The Junior League of San Antonio has partnered with University Health System since 2017 by giving volunteers the opportunity to interact one-on-one with children in the pediatric unit of the hospital. “During play therapy we might teach a child to play a board game, soothe a fussy baby, read funny stories or just talk about their day,” says current placement chair Katy Schultz. This time with Junior League volunteers gives patients the ability to interact with someone who isn’t part of the traditional hospital experience. “Our impact is immediately visible when you see the children’s smiles, but it doesn’t stop there. Parents routinely express their gratitude,” Katy said.

For the past two league years, placement opportunities were only available to Active Preferred and Active Elite members, but starting in 2019 – 2020, potential placements will be available to all active members! Volunteers will be required to show proof of current immunizations (or be willing to receive missing immunizations) and should be available to volunteer on Wednesday afternoons/evenings, some Saturday mornings and an occasional daytime session for special events.

If you’d like to find out more about how you can become involved with this placement, please plan to attend the Community Placement Expo on April 8^th at 6:00 at the JLSA office.