April 21, 2025
Media Contact: Kristy Fowler, PR Specialist, [email protected]
Chesterfield Health District Celebrates Virginia Volunteer Week
Medical Reserve Corps volunteers make significant contributions to public health.
CHESTERFIELD, Va. — Emily Garofalo, of Midlothian, has volunteered with the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) at Chesterfield Health District since 2021. She had just retired from VCU Health in 2020 after 45 years as a nurse in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU), including working in pediatrics. Emily jumped back into patient care shortly after receiving her COVID-19 vaccine when she volunteered to help with COVID-19 testing and immunizations. Having worked in infectious disease units, she trusted her personal protective equipment and vaccine to keep her safe.
Years later, Garofalo found out she could help with the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program. She was excited to continue helping babies and children. Now, she takes and records their height, weight and tests hemoglobin (iron). She relies on her many years of experience to use distraction tactics and techniques that make it easier to get kids to cooperate when getting a shot.
“Kids just want to help and they’re naturally curious,” Garofalo said. “I just play with them and have fun, so they’re distracted from a quick finger or heel prick.”
She has taken her passion to the next level and now trains other volunteers to help in WIC. MRC Coordinator Sarah Gagnon, said, “I love it when we can match a volunteer’s passion with a program we offer. They can take it beyond levels we are able to accomplish with limited staffing.”
One afternoon, Garofalo recognized one of her WIC clients as a former patient in the pediatric ICU at VCU Health. The parents remembered how she cared for them in their time of need. It was a surreal moment to come full circle and be able to help the client get access to healthy foods and understand the nutrition needed for growth and development.
As a daughter of a Polish immigrant who was a prisoner of war for seven years, she has a strong desire to help people who have been displaced with disproportionate access to healthy lifestyles. The health department is the perfect place for her.
Volunteering is a great way to give back.
Pete Plourd, also of Midlothian, has volunteered since 2019. He earned a silver pin for 500 hours last fall and now has more than 800 hours. Plourd grew up on a farm in northern Maine, retired from the Army after 20 years in computers, 19 years as a government contractor in computers, 12 years as a real estate broker and maintained yards on the side.
He first found out about the MRC program while volunteering with the Community Emergency Response Team in Chesterfield. Despite having no medical background, he volunteered countless hours in the COVID vaccine clinics, helping with call centers, setup, registration and cleanup. Now he works in the women’s health clinic, bringing patients from the waiting room to the exam room, checks their weight and height, and prepares the room for the provider.
“The nurses absolutely love him!” Gagnon said. “He’s been a reliable help over the years and makes life easier for everyone.”
“I love helping people and giving back to my community,” Plourd said. He also volunteers at his church and golf club. At 87, he doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.
The need for bilingual volunteers is great.
Angelica Galindo, of Chesterfield, volunteers in the preventive and community health clinic, walking patients from the waiting area to the exam room. Originally from Mexico, Galindo speaks the same language as most of the patients, which makes them feel more at ease. She’s only volunteered a couple of months but she’s already studying to earn a certificate in translation.
“Since I was a little girl, I’ve wanted to work in health care,” Galindo said. “Now I am putting my love of meeting people and helping them to good use.
When she’s not working, Galindo takes people to the hospital and court to translate and be supportive.
“She is blazing a trail for us to streamline our volunteer onboarding process for those whose primary language is not English,” Gagnon said. “She’s doing a great job helping the patients and nurses here.”
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