Beyond clinical medicine, excellence in patient care extends to simple gestures — whether a conversation, a shared activity or a moment of laughter.
In the Surgical Oncology unit at UHN's Toronto General Hospital, Ferdinand (Reke) Avikpe, helps bring these moments to life as a patient-visiting volunteer.
The goal of every patient-visiting volunteer is to offer patients and their family members emotional and non-medical support. Sometimes that means sitting down to have a conversation. Other times it includes sharing a crossword puzzle or helping a patient navigate information about their care using resources from UHN's Patient and Family Learning Centre (PFLC).
Equipped with a mobile cart, volunteers deliver these books, games, activities and health information directly to the bedside — helping patients stay informed and entertained throughout their hospital stay.
"I love interacting with patients and have made really valuable connections," says Reke. "I've met people from different walks of life, different races, different experiences, and I always love to learn from them and to share my own experiences as well."
April 19 to 25, 2026, marks National Volunteer Week in Canada. It's a time to recognize and celebrate the millions of people across the country who support organizations and community programs.
At UHN, more than 600 volunteers give their time in a wide range of meaningful roles across all sites. From inpatient to outpatient care and wellness programs, volunteers play a vital role in supporting UHN's purpose to transform lives and communities through excellence in care, discovery and learning.
“Volunteers are an essential part of what makes care feel personal at UHN,” says Kyla Kumar, Vice President of Communications and Brand Strategy. “Their impact is felt in every corner of our hospitals and care environments. They are often the first to welcome patients and families, offering a moment of connection, reassurance and humanity when it matters most.
"We are deeply grateful for the compassion they bring each day.”
How volunteers connect with patients at UHN
Reke's volunteer role is part of UHN's Inpatient Visiting Program, a collaborative initiative between UHN Volunteer Resources and the PFLC at Toronto General Hospital.
In addition to reducing patient isolation, the program supports emotional well-being, encourages recreational engagement and helps patients access trusted health information in multilingual and accessible formats.
Since revamping the program late last year, patient-visiting volunteers have provided over 500 patients across multiple hospital units with emotional support and companionship. More units are expected to join the program in 2026.
Reke has been part of that growing impact since 2024, and he now mentors new volunteers.
Originally from Warri, Nigeria, Reke came to Canada at 15, later moving to Toronto in 2023 to pursue his PhD at the University of Toronto's Institute of Biomedical Engineering. He's currently completing research that focuses on improving how stem cells are turned into early lung and heart cells using computer models.
Despite the demands of advanced academic research, Reke says volunteering at UHN remains a grounding force that he looks forward to. He often begins his weekly shifts with a simple introduction.
"That first introduction helps me understand what the patient needs. Sometimes they want to engage with the activities on my cart and sometimes they just want to talk," he says. "From there, it becomes a delightful conversation and I might end up spending an hour with one patient."
Meaningful moments for patients and volunteers alike
The moments that stay with Reke long after he leaves the unit are the conversations he has about family, his research and life experiences. He especially values when patients share stories and photographs of their grandchildren.
One memorable interaction that stands out includes an impromptu duet performance of What I've Been Looking For from High School Musical, sparked by a shared love of music and the film.
"It surprised me how much of a difference a small, simple conversation can make," says Reke. "Just sitting with a patient, listening or sharing a brief moment can shift someone's entire day."
That perspective is echoed by those who work alongside him.
"Reke creates moments of normalcy, comfort and genuine connection, which are often just as impactful as the care our clinical team provides," says Ian Alagadan, nurse manager in the Surgical Oncology Unit, who was once a patient-visiting volunteer himself.
"Patient-visiting volunteers help to bridge gaps in care by focusing on the relational aspects of healing. Without them, we would lose a vital layer of compassion, connection and community that enhances both patient experience and staff well-being across the organization," says Alagadan.
For Reke, the overall experience has been worthwhile, and reinforces his interest in pursuing a career in health care research.
Reke encourages new volunteers to find a role that's meaningful to them and focus on being present rather than perfect.
"Do not underestimate the power of just showing up and being genuinely attentive. Most importantly, approach every patient as an individual," says Reke.
Across UHN, this sentiment reflects what's at the heart of caring for patients: Human connection that complements clinical care.
