2024 Summer Student Volunteer Program

We will not be hosting a Summer Student Volunteer Program this year (2024) please check back in January 2025 for any updates to the program.

What is the Summer Student Volunteer Program?

Students will do worthwhile work within Roswell Park that truly makes a difference in the overall care of our patients. High school students from Buffalo and surrounding communities are encouraged to apply.

What are the benefits of being a Summer Student Volunteer?

  • Satisfaction and fulfillment from making a difference in someone’s life
  • Fostering a connection to the community
  • Gain hospital work-related experience
  • Documentation of volunteer service hours
  • Polish your soft skills
  • Meet other volunteers and develop friendships
  • A $6 cafeteria meal discount every shift you volunteer
  • Free parking in the Roswell Park ramp

What we are unable to provide:

  • Shadowing opportunities
  • Medical or clinical training
  • Course credits or internships

What are the requirements?

  • Between 15-18 years old
  • A minimum GPA of 85
  • A letter of reference from a guidance counselor, teacher, or coach
  • A brief essay explaining why you would like to volunteer at Roswell Park

What volunteer positions are available for Summer Student Volunteers?

These are just some of the ways in which summer students can become an integral part of Roswell Park's volunteer programs:

Craft Cart

A volunteer prepares the craft cart with arts and crafts provided by the Volunteer Services Department. The varieties of available crafts provide patients and family members in the clinical waiting areas of the hospital with pleasant diversions to pass the time, as well as allowing the volunteer to be a friendly visitor lending support and hospitality. The volunteer will restock the cart after each shift.

Coffee Cart

Volunteers have an opportunity to visit with patients and families while making their wait time in the clinical areas easier. With a partner, the volunteer stocks the necessary essentials on the cart and travels to and from clinics and waiting areas to offer beverages and snacks to patients and visitors. When their shift is completed, the volunteer returns the cart to the kitchen and readies the essentials for the next volunteer. Volunteers must be self-motivated, have a congenial personality, good communication skills, have patience and the ability to walk and travel with the cart.

Errand/Escort

Volunteers assist staff/departments by completing errands and escorting/transporting patients and items according to policies and procedures. Tasks may include answering phones to assign tasks, organizing mailings, assembling packets, and transporting medical records from one area to another. Volunteers must have good communication skills in English, a working knowledge of the hospital’s layout, and the ability to walk distances. A seasoned volunteer acts as a mentor for new volunteers.

Front door greeter

The front door greeter is the first and last person our patients and their family members see when they are at Roswell Park. A smiling face and warm personality are requirements for this position. This job sets the tone for a visit. The job is one where you may help to transport our patients to their appointments and offer a smile to a scared individual. Volunteers must have good communication skills in English, a working knowledge of the hospital’s layout, and the ability to walk distances.

Gift Shop

Volunteers help in the hospital’s busy retail shop. Responsibilities include assisting customers, cashiering, providing information about the store’s stock and assisting with inventory, marking goods, keeping the displays tidy, dusting and vacuuming. Volunteers receive training and are required to have excellent customer service skills.

Hospitality Room

The Hospitality Room serves as a place for patients, visitors, and family members to relax and escape from the harsh realities of the reason they are here: cancer. It is a kitchen/dinette/living room equipped with coffee, hot and cold running water (for tea), as well as store-bought donations brought in by the volunteers who staff the room as well as a television. Typically, two volunteers work in the room and consistently dispense coffee and refreshments while maintaining a positive demeanor as they facilitate friendly conversation among the visitors. It is open Monday through Friday.

Market in the Park

Volunteers will work with our market vendors to assist with setting up and helping with tasks that they may need. Volunteers need to be able to walk varying distances. Volunteers will receive training and are required to have excellent customer service skills.

Resource Center

The 11 Day Power Play Resource Center is a special place at Roswell Park, it is a place for patients to learn more about their new cancer diagnoses and the resources that Roswell Park has available for their cancer journey. The individual who volunteers in this room need to be empathetic and a good listener.

Special projects

During the year we receive many project requests that may take a large amount of time or special training. These requests range from scanning to helping in different areas throughout the hospital. No two jobs are the same, but they are all are important to the mission of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and its patients.

General information

Volunteer placements and assignments will be determined based on application information and one-on-one phone interview with students. Volunteers will be notified of their acceptance or denial within two weeks of their application.

The student volunteer dress code is as follows:

  • Khaki pants, knee-length shorts/capris only - no denim, leggings, or yoga pants
  • Roswell Park volunteer shirt (provided)
  • Sneakers or other closed-toe shoes only, no sandals or flip-flops are allowed.

For more information or to receive a mailed application packet, please email VolunteerOffice@RoswellPark.org or call our office at 716-845-5708.