Upstate Volunteer Programs

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

10/10/2025

The Spring 2026 College Application is now available on our website, open through Friday, October 24th at 4:00pm!

Please email volunteer@upstate.edu with any questions. Apply online: https://www.upstate.edu/volunteers/college-application-all.php

09/19/2025

A huge THANK YOU to all of our incredible Teen Volunteers for a wonderful summer supporting staff, patients, visitors, and families. We are grateful for their enthusiasm, kindness, empathy, passion, and dedication. Hope to see you back for Summer 2026!

For more information regarding our volunteer programs - visit https://www.upstate.edu/volunteers/

09/11/2025

Next we’re shining a light on the incredible pediatric volunteers at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital!

Every week, around 30 volunteers dedicate over 100 hours to supporting patients, families, and our care teams—that’s more than 5,000 hours each year! From bringing joy to kids, giving respite to caregivers, and assisting the Child Life team, our volunteers are an essential part of the Golisano family.

They are aspiring doctors, nurses, and child life specialists learning what it means to care. They are working professionals giving their evenings and weekends. They are retired teachers, lawyers, and business owners sharing wisdom and compassion.

No matter their background, all of our volunteers have one thing in common: a commitment to making a difference in the lives of children and families.

Thank you to our pediatric volunteers for your time, your hearts, and your dedication! 💙

08/21/2025

We are so proud of Anne and all our amazing Upstate Teen Volunteers!

07/07/2025

We're excited to announce that the Fall College 2025 Volunteer application is open on our website now through Friday, July 18th at 4:00pm!

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

Spread the word, and please email volunteer@upstate.edu with any questions!

04/23/2025

04/21/2025

Today begins National Volunteer Appreciation Week!

Help us to celebrate and show gratitude for our incredible Upstate Volunteers who support patients, families, visitors, and staff, day in and day out.

Interested in volunteering? Visit our website: https://www.upstate.edu/volunteers/

04/16/2025

The Summer 2025 Teen Volunteer Program application is available on our website now through Friday, April 25th at 4:00pm!

https://www.upstate.edu/volunteers/teen.php

04/15/2025

Meet Poppy, one of the beloved Animal-Assisted Therapy volunteers at Upstate Cancer Center. She recently shared smiles and snuggles with one of our patients—and the joy on both their faces says it all.

Poppy brings comfort and calm to those going through treatment and reminds us that healing comes not just from medicine, but from the wagging tail of a furry friend.

“Because of the dog’s joyfulness, our own is increased. It is no small gift.” – Mary Oliver