For some, getting out of the office means going on a vacation, or simply a lunch break at a favorite spot. But at Nebraska Health Network, this could also include volunteering at a local food pantry, participating in a neighborhood clean-up or enjoying some time with furry friends at an animal shelter. Everyone has their own reason to give back to their community, for NHN employees, this is made possible through their annual 16 volunteer time off hours.
Every person has a different interest. For Adam Schulte, PharmD, Medicare programs manager, giving back means helping coach a seventh and eighth grade recreational soccer league. He says he enjoys watching kids support one another through a team environment, and persevering through hard work and dedication.
“With so much pressure to be the best, or to win at any cost in youth-sports today, I instead try to instill a value-set that focuses on incremental improvement for all skill-levels as the goal and a broader sense of accomplishment despite the outcome of the season,” Dr. Schulte said.
Lindsay Cosimano, APR, vice president of marketing and operations, has had the opportunity to volunteer at several different organizations this year through the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Leadership Omaha Program. She recently visited the Heartland Hope Mission, a non-profit that serves the working poor and offers a “choice pantry,” which is set up like a regular store. People can shop for essentials like food, clothing and hygiene items.
“The individuals we met were so gracious and genuinely thankful,” Cosimano said. “It was a powerful reminder that everyone deserves dignified access to support and that a little help can make a big difference.”
Some employees choose to volunteer closer to home, like Nick Boosalis, RRT, population health coordinator, and Joni Cox, BSN, RN, population health manager. Twice a year, Boosalis goes to his daughter’s elementary school for the Watch D.O.G.S. program (Dads of Great Students). He interacts with students, going classroom to classroom, while also supporting teachers.
“One of the best parts is getting to share lunchtime with my daughter and her friends. The whole experience is an incredible way to stay connected to my daughter’s learning while giving back to the teachers and staff who make our school community so special,” Boosalis said.
Within the last couple of years, Cox devoted a lot of her time serving as the secretary of the Gretna East High School/Legion Baseball Board “Griffin Baseball Club.” Her twin boys were a part of the baseball program, and their varsity team made the Class B championship game, taking home 2nd place.
“It was a rewarding experience helping to lay the foundation for future success of the program in my community as well as having a personal tie to it cheering on my boys and their teammates to success,” she said.
Lee Handke, PharmD, MBA, chief executive officer, says he gives back to organizations that have been a large part of his life and has helped him shape who he is today. Both of his sons are graduates of Concordia Lutheran Schools, so he serves on the Foundation Board of Concordia Lutheran Schools of Omaha.
“It is important to me to help ensure that opportunities for Christian education remain strong and accessible for future generations,” Dr. Handke said.
He also serves on the UNMC College of Pharmacy Admissions Committee, Kansas State Arts and Sciences Advisory Board and is a member of the Exchange Club of Omaha, an organization dedicated to raising awareness of and preventing child abuse.
“I volunteer for two primary reasons: to support causes I deeply care about and to give back to organizations that have given so much to me and my family,” he said.
Allison Glomb, MSN/MBA, RN, population health coordinator, enjoys volunteering with kids and their families at Completely Kids. The program offers opportunities they may not have access to otherwise like afterschool programs, food donationand mental health assistance.
“I joined this group to give back to the community where I grew up and help enrich the next generation and beyond,” Glomb said.
Kelly Mand, population health coordinator, uses her volunteer time off to attend the Financial Hope Collaborative board meetings.
“Financial Hope Collaborative focuses on fostering economic stability to reduce health disparities, which strongly aligns with my passion for health equity,” Mand said. “I'm grateful to be able to support underrepresented populations both through my role at NHN and through volunteering”.
NHN is a sponsor of Share Omaha’s Do-Good Days. This is a volunteering initiative to celebrate National Volunteer Week at the end of April. Thousands around Omaha pick a volunteer effort to complete. This could be baking cookies for Cake4Kids, deep cleaning at Notre Dame Housing or providing a meal to Youth Family Services.
As a team, NHN volunteers at the Food Bank for the Heartland and Salvation Army. If you would like to join NHN at one of our volunteer events, please contact us to learn more.
Volunteering Resources
