Upstate Volunteer Programs

03/10/2026

Kindness is contagious 💫We asked our volunteers to share one act of kindness they witnessed, and the responses were amazing. Big or small, every moment mattered.

Now we want to hear from you: What’s one act of kindness you saw today? 💛

03/03/2026

Last call for Summer 2026 volunteers! Applications close March 6 at 4 PM. Don’t miss your chance to explore, learn, and give back while gaining incredible experience. Visit our webpage and apply today; your summer starts here! 🌞💛

Link: https://www.upstate.edu/volunteers/college-application-all.php

02/20/2026

☀️ The Summer 2026 College Volunteer Application is NOW OPEN!

Submit your application by March 6th, at 4:00 PM, for the opportunity to gain meaningful experience, make a real impact, and serve our community. 💙

Tag a friend, share this post, and apply today; we can’t wait to review your application!

02/18/2026

🌟 Inspiring Tomorrow’s Healthcare Leaders! 🌟

Upstate Medical University’s Job Shadow Program gives students the chance to learn alongside healthcare professionals 🩺💙. See how hands-on experiences like these are opening doors, sparking passion, and shaping the next generation of medical heroes. 🌟

After observing ultrasound technicians at Upstate University Hospital, Alexandra Sylstra decided to pursue a degree in diagnostic medical sonography.

02/12/2026

Happy Valentine’s Day to the heart of our mission, our incredible volunteers! ❤️ Your kindness and generosity make all the difference. We’re so grateful for the time and love you share. Truly appreciated always. 💖

02/04/2026

Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital therapy dog AND advanced to the second round among the nation’s top Golden Retrievers at the Westminster Dog Show? What a flex! 🐾
We’re so proud of Bodhi (UKC Storybrook Jumpin Jack Flash) and his mom, Lynne, for their incredible accomplishments! So grateful they choose to share their time and hearts with us where Bodhi is already Best in Show. 💙🏆

12/31/2025

As we welcome in the New Year, we thank our wonderful volunteers for their passion and dedication. We are so grateful you choose to spend your time with us! Happy New Year to you and all of our Upstate Family!

12/23/2025

12/23/2025

A big thank you to our Tuesday East Lobby Volunteers for decorating Community Hospital again this year! Thanks to their creativity and hard work, it has plenty of holiday cheer. We’re so grateful for our volunteers - this season and all year long!

12/10/2025

Volunteer Spotlight!

Kerry Moore- an Upstate Medical University Volunteer & Veteran was honored in September with a memorable Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., recognizing his incredible service to our country.

Kerry joined the U.S. Air Force in 1964 as a Computer Maintenance Technician. Over his 23-year career, he was stationed nationally and globally in Mississippi, Wyoming, twice in Montana, Germany, New York, Florida, and even 60 days in Saudi Arabia. His favorite assignments? Wyoming and Germany!

Driven by his commitment to service, Kerry has also submitted an application to volunteer for future Honor Flights, helping other veterans partake in the same impactful journey.

With nearly 8,000 volunteer hours under his belt, Kerry’s dedication to helping patients, visitors and hospital staff shines every week. Please join us in thanking Kerry for his remarkable dedication — to our country, veterans and our Upstate Medical community.

Medical University

11/21/2025

We’re so proud to celebrate one of our own, Kathy Burke, an outstanding volunteer in the Upstate Emergency Room - who’s now sharing her talents with the wider Upstate community. Kathy is in her first year of the three-year accelerated MD program in Emergency Medicine at Upstate’s Norton College of Medicine. We appreciate her kindness, and dedication and we’re continually inspired by how she balances school, family, and service. Please read her story below!

Not everyone enters medical school right after college. Here, students over the age of 30 share the benefits and challenges of being older than their peers.

11/10/2025

🌟 Volunteer Spotlight: Ana Portilla, MD 🌟

Today, we’re thrilled to feature Dr. Ana Portilla, an Adult Volunteer with Express and on the PM&R unit at Upstate Medical University!

Dr. Portilla’s dedication to advancing medical knowledge through her academic and research contributions continues to make a meaningful impact in the field. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she brings warmth and positivity to everyone she meets—always greeting others with a smile and a kind word.

We’re so grateful for her commitment, compassion, and the inspiring example she sets for the Upstate community. 💙

To view the posters, please visit the link below: https://www.canva.com/design/DAG4CPkD4Y8/79I-uQ1DZY8uW1Ayl8NOvw/view?utm_content=DAG4CPkD4Y8&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h5461febea0