VALDOSTA – South Georgia Medical Center welcomed 44 youth volunteers to its annual summer program, Canopy of Care. 

Participants are students between the ages of 14-17 whose responsibilities vary from patient care/interaction, administrative support, to surgical and outpatient services support, according to hospital officials.

“The Canopy of Care program exposes our youth volunteers to various health-care fields and provides insight into customer service,” says Laura Love, director of community relations. “We hope their positive experience will lead them to a career in which they can serve others.”

Students commit seven to eight weeks of summer vacation to the initiative. Once the program is complete, they are more typically more confident in volunteering and have embraced the basics of working in a team environment, according to hospital officials. 

Additionally, they own and understand the meaning of accountability and responsibility. 

Students submitted applications and interviews were held to select participants and match them with their areas of interest throughout the SGMC enterprise.

SGMC welcomes participants Carmela Bajenting, Emma Barton, Callie Belflower, Gahnique Bell, Kadence Bennett, Tucker Browning, Madeline Castor, Justin Echeverria, Ethan Edwards, Savana Foppe, John Fox, Asa Gaines, Dache’ Gibbs, Abreauna Hadley, Shelby Hall, Brennan Hulett, Maraynna Jenkins, Elizabeth Kacprzyk, Ekshya Katawal, Lamees Khalil, Sophie Khalil, Nhi Le-Bui, Olivia Lee, Joyce Liu, Eryka Major, Jocelyn Neal, Kessiny Neal, Mary Kathryn Nitschke, Maitri Patel, Christen Powell, Citlaly Ramos Alvarez, Huma Raza, Anna Kate Rose, Kaille Sermons, Jwalant Shah, Hope Smith, Tiara Stanley, Katie Strickland, Clarence Wardwell, Amanda Washabaugh, Neleh Williams, Shaniece Willis.