The comradery and the sense of community is what Douglas Gorab, 80, loves about volunteering at Broward Health Imperial Point. He and his partner joined the hospital’s volunteer program in 2016.

Gorab serves as a concierge, greeting visitors and showing them where to go. He believes a friendly face goes a long way. “It’s amazing when you smile at them, they always smile back,” he said, adding that his goal is to help patients feel more at ease. “A lot of them are nervous so you talk about the weather or anything to divert them.”

While the desire to help people is “in his blood,” Gorab said he benefits as well. “I think it’s important as people get older to keep busy mentally and physically.”

Gorab enjoys getting to know the patients and said his colleagues are now a part of his life. “It’s a small hospital. The volunteers are wonderful, and the staff is incredible.”