Current volunteer opportunities

Duke Cancer Patient Support Program

Duke Cancer Patient Support Program volunteers play a critical role in the day-to-day activities at the Duke Cancer Center. Volunteers provide conversation and comfort, offer refreshments and help patients locate areas and resources in the clinics and hospital. 

This program is looking for community volunteers and Duke students.

• Contact: Holly Vincitorio, 919-684-3651

Gift Shop Volunteers
Gift Shop volunteers aid our patients and family members on how to celebrate special occasions while in the hospital. Learn more about volunteering for this Duke Hospital Auxiliary program.

• Contact: Joy Parton

Ronald McDonald Family Room
Ronald McDonald Family Room provides a relaxing place for the families of long-term pediatric patients. Volunteers in the Family Room providing supportive listening and a friendly face to family members (not pediatric patients themselves) and direct them to the welcoming space where they can use the computer, take a shower or get a snack.  Volunteers may also have an opportunity to contribute to an operational manual to help serve families optimally. The goal of the volunteer is to provide family support and caring during one of the most difficult times in the life of a family. 

This program is looking for community volunteers and Duke students (sophomores and juniors) volunteers for a one-year (two semester) commitment.

• Contact: chris@rmhdurham.org or 919-281-1061

Shadowing a provider
Shadowing a physician or health care provider lets you observe his/her work and see health care from their perspective. Visit the Duke Health Professions Advising website for more information. Duke University Hospital does not manage the shadowing program. For questions, call 919-684-6221.

Surgical Waiting Rooms Volunteers
There is a need for volunteers in the surgical waiting rooms at Duke Medicine Pavilion, Duke University Hospital, Duke Children’s Hospital & Health Center, and the Duke Eye Center. We're looking for volunteers who can comfortably and confidently interact with patients/visitors in the peri-operative department, providing updated information on their scheduled surgery (scheduled time, delays, progress), directions to various hospital locations and be an overall comfort and support to our patients/visitors.  These volunteers must be comfortable with guiding patients/visitors into the pre-op and post-op areas of the department and must respect the staff involved in the patient's care and the confidentiality of other patients in the department at all times.

This program is looking for community volunteers and Duke students (sophomores and juniors) volunteers for a one-year (two semester) commitment.

• Contact: Cari Banks, 919-613-6465

Whatever your interests or skills, our Volunteer Services is committed to finding the right opportunity for you. We look forward to working with you.

Questions? Call us at 919-681-6088 or email:

• Tomeka Robinson, Administrative Assistant
• Sharon Swanson, Manager