Mercyhealth In Rockford Has A Way To Help Veterans You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

What's Up, Doc? is a weekly health segment on WROK sponsored by MercyHealth. Each week they highlight a different doctor/healthcare professional to come on our show and talk to us about their specialty. It has turned into one of our favorite segments. All of our doctors have exhibited a "human" side that people don't always get to see with their physicians. We encourage you to check out some of our past episodes here. We've done about 30 of these segments highlighting everything from Lyme disease to hernia repair to finding a health care plan and everything else in between. We've learned a lot and hope you can too.

Traci Melms was this morning's guest on What's Up, Doc? She's not a medical doctor but she was still one of our favorite guests we've had on the program.

Traci is a volunteer coordinator for the Mercyhealth at Home Veterans Program.

We talk a lot about taking care of our veterans when they do come home but most of that discussion doesn't address the later stages of a veteran's life.

That is where Traci and her group of volunteers come in.

The At Home Veterans Program at Mercyhealth pairs veteran volunteers with veterans that are currently in hospice or palliative care. The volunteers come over to the house when the full-time care person can't be there, or just needs a break, and simply sits with the veteran and talks. They can do some light tasks around the house but Traci said that the most valuable action they can do is just sit and listen.

A lot of these veterans aren't comfortable talking with non-veterans about the active duty part of their life and these conversations can do wonders for a person's morale.

While they do accept non-veteran volunteers, the program is in need of veterans to fill out their roster.

If this seems like something you would be interested in doing, you should contact the program and they'll get you started.

Anyone is eligible. There is a short training and background check, after that, you'll be able to volunteer in the Rockford and Janesville area.

Go to their website to learn more.