Never a Dull Moment: Meet Volunteer Julie Schmidt

Phelps Health Auxiliary and Volunteer Services Board President Julie Schmidt does a lot of things, but sitting still is not one of them.

“I like to keep busy,” said Julie, who is 72 and has been volunteering at Phelps Health for 18 years now. “I don’t sit around well. I’m a doer.”

Julie can be found on Tuesday mornings working behind the scenes, in the volunteer work room.

“I do a little of anything and everything,” she said. “I work on mailings, help patients find their way around, organize apparel for the gift shop (The Lily Pad Gift Shop) and work different fairs, like the scrub fairs, book fairs, shoe fairs and more. I also help with special events at the gift shop, including Valentine’s Day and special sales. And for the past 3 years, I’ve enjoyed helping with the [Phelps Health] Foundation’s annual Charity Golf Tournament. You could say I have a hard time saying ‘no.’”

Since 1983, Rolla has been home for Julie and her husband, Pete. The couple, who were born and raised in a small town in North Dakota, were childhood sweethearts. Pete’s career would bring them to California, to the Lake Michigan area and eventually to Rolla, where Pete taught in the Engineering Management Department at Missouri University of Science and Technology (or Missouri S&T, then known as University of Missouri-Rolla).

Prior to her retirement, Julie was employed by a local dentist and orthodontist, where she worked chairside, in the lab and front office.

When she decided to retire, a dear friend – and Phelps Health volunteer – asked Julie about volunteering at the health organization.

“A good friend of mine from bridge club kept encouraging me to volunteer at the hospital,” Julie said. “When she knew I had retired, she asked me once again.”

So, with more time on her plate, Julie took her friend up on the offer and hasn’t looked back.

“I love what I do,” Julie said. “I get to work with so many wonderful people, including my fellow volunteers, and Crystal [Lorah, director of Auxiliary and Volunteer Services], Neal [Fallesen, Auxiliary and Volunteer Services specialist] and Deanna [Brown, gift shop merchandiser].

"I also get to meet many new people each day,” Julie added. “I begin my shift by getting coffee and make it a goal to smile and say ‘good morning’ to everyone I see.”

Julie is no stranger to hospitals and the care they provide, and this is likely why she goes out of her way to make everyone feel welcome. In her first year of marriage, she was diagnosed with cancer in her nasopharynx (upper part of the throat) and treated with cobalt radiation.

In 2008, Julie underwent surgery to remove cancer from a salivary gland, and in 2012, she had surgery on a large polyp on her vocal cord. Most recently, in 2018, Julie had a basal cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer) removed from her right eyelid, with reconstructive surgery directly to follow.

For anyone considering volunteering at Phelps Health, Julie gives her stamp of approval.

“Volunteering is a great way to get out of the house,” she said. “And it’s fun! You can volunteer one, two, three times a week – as much or as little as you’d like. Or you can come in for special projects, like a mailing, or work from home on a sewing project. You also get a free lunch, which is just one of many nice perks.”

Outside of the hospital, Julie and her husband love spending time with their family, which includes their daughter, son-in-law (who live nearby), four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Julie and Pete have been involved with the Rolla Lions Club throughout the years and Julie also is a part of the Beta Sigma Pi sorority and a bridge club.

Julie, who is currently serving the second year of her 2-year commitment as Board president, said she will remain on the Board after the fact and will continue to support the Auxiliary.

“The Auxiliary gives back in so many ways,” she said. “Past funds have helped to purchase an ambulance and a stereotactic breast biopsy unit. We also fund nursing scholarships and donate toward Camp Capable.”

Julie sees a greater purpose in her work here at Phelps Health.

“This is my way to give back,” she explained. “The Good Lord did not take me so many years ago for a reason. This was His plan for me, and I feel privileged to be able to set my alarm for my shift every Tuesday morning.”