Alyssa James

@Moments Hospice

Hiawatha, IA, US

As the Volunteer Coordinator for Moments Hospice, I oversee volunteer operations across multiple branches, leading strategic initiatives that support and enrich patient care through compassionate service, legacy work, and creative engagement.Since starting in January, I have grown the volunteer program in my main branch from the ground up—expanding from 0 to 40 active volunteers while maintaining high retention rates and cultivating a strong culture of connection and purpose. Our program consistently exceeds the CMS 5% volunteer hour requirement, with our most recent month reaching over 20%.Key responsibilities and accomplishments include: • Oversight of multiple branch locations, providing ongoing support, training, and coordination for volunteers across geographic regions. • Company-wide leadership of specialized programs:• Death Doula Volunteer Program – integrating end-of-life care principles across teams.• We Honor Veterans – implementing veteran-specific volunteer support and recognition.• Legacy Arts Integration – guiding volunteers and families in writing, visual storytelling, and memory projects. • Development of diverse engagement opportunities, including in-person visits, office-based tasks, and remote administrative support. • Supervision of student interns and practicum placements, fostering mentorship, skill-building, and professional development. • Partnering with interdisciplinary teams to ensure volunteers are meaningfully integrated into patient care and community outreach efforts.Driven by empathy and innovation, I aim to create a volunteer experience that is not only impactful for patients and families—but also transformative for those who serve.