DALTON, Ga. (June 12, 2026) – A new program involving Northwest Whitfield High School and Hamilton Medical Center (HMC) is allowing students to gain hands-on experience and academic credit at the same time.
Gay Ann Talley, Guest and Volunteer Services coordinator at Hamilton Medical Center, said the program is part of HMC’s broader volunteer effort. It bridges both the volunteer mission for providing compassionate care and the school’s needs for experiential learning, academic credits and community outreach.
This past school year, six students were involved in the program and were paired with adult volunteers. Student volunteers included Katie Chakales, Jailynn Swinford, Kelsey Stiles, Zoey Mitchell, Rylee Richardson and Sophia Pender. They ran errands such as transporting lab work, making deliveries, working in the gift shop and helping nurses with non-clinical tasks. They also operated a delivery cart with boredom busters patients can choose from like puzzle books, adult coloring pages and crayons.
“I joined [the program] to gain real-world experience and develop skills,” said student Sophia Pender. “I chose Hamilton because of its strong program and opportunities.”
Stiles said her involvement stems from a desire to gain experience helping others. “I specifically chose Hamilton so I could see what it was like to help decide on future career opportunities,” she said.
This program is in addition to a separate work-based learning program that runs from June through August at HMC, and Talley hopes to expand it to include other schools.
“Our purpose is to serve with compassion,” Talley said. “We want to make sure when you walk in here, often scared or afraid, we’re helping you feel confident you’re in a place that will take care of you. We want you to know that we are here for you. We want you to be able to put a face with somebody who smiled at you and made you feel a little bit better.”
Swinford said she joined the program to gain hands-on healthcare experience and learn from professionals at HMC. “So far, I’ve learned a lot about patient care, teamwork and communication,” she said. “One thing that has stood out to me is seeing how staff members support and comfort patients and families during difficult moments.”
NWHS incorporates service learning into its curriculum in conjunction with work-based learning programs and local partnerships with United Way’s Youth United, GivePulse Opportunities for specific volunteer events, and a formal work-based learning/service class.
Laura Bivens, teacher at NWHS, coordinates service-learning opportunities at the school. She said the program connects meaningful volunteer experiences with academic learning, personal growth and civic responsibility.
“Service learning extends student learning beyond the classroom and provides structured time for students to reflect on their experiences,” Bivens said. “Students learn to research community needs, develop and organize solutions, and to use interpersonal communication skills and problem-solving strategies.”
Bivens said service learning can also be valuable on a college or scholarship application as it demonstrates growth through community engagement.
Talley said the interactions students have with patients help them build crucial soft skills that not only help patients but also position the students for future success in their careers.
“Most of the students in the group already have a family member in healthcare or are interested in possibly getting into healthcare one day and want to get some insight,” Bivens said. “It’s definitely helped their people skills. They’re seeing how giving of their time and themselves can be such a blessing.”
Chakales said she chose to volunteer at HMC because she wants to become a nurse. “I wanted to gain some experience from this opportunity, and it has been great,” she said.
Mitchell said she, too, is interested in pursuing medicine. “Hamilton allows me to get the experience that will help prepare me for my future career,” she said.
For more information about volunteering at HMC, visit VitruvianHealth.com/volunteer or call 706-272-6147.