2026 Summer Student Volunteer Program

Please note, this is an 8-week program. You must commit to one 4-hour shift on the same day/time each week for the full 8-week program. Only one absence will be allowed.

Benefits of being a Roswell Park Summer Student Volunteer

• You gain satisfaction and fulfillment from helping patients and families during their cancer care journey.
• The program helps you foster a strong connection to the Buffalo community and supports Roswell Park’s mission.
• You’ll get first-hand experience in a major cancer care center, learning how a hospital operates from a non-clinical perspective.
• Documentation of your service hours will be provided. This will be helpful for College Applications, National Honor Society and Scholarship requirements.
• You will strengthen your soft skills: communication, customer service, professionalism and responsibility.
• You’ll interact with peers, staff and hospital employees, building early professional relationships in a respected healthcare institution.
• You will receive a $6 cafeteria meal credit every shift.

*Please note, we are unable to provide shadowing opportunities and internships.

Requirements for Summer Student Program

• Age requirement: You must be a student aged 15–18.
• Reference letter: You need one letter of recommendation from a guidance counselor, teacher or coach.
• Personal essay: A brief essay explaining why you want to volunteer at Roswell Park.
• Time commitment:
  • You must commit to the full 8-week program (one 4-hour shift per week - same day/time).
  • Only one excused absence is permitted.
• Medical clearance: Completion of the Roswell Park Medical Certification, provided through our Employee Health Clinic.

What volunteer positions are available for Summer Student Volunteers?

• Book cart: A pair of students will travel to clinical waiting areas to offer reading materials to patients and family members (we will pair you up). Individuals should be friendly, outgoing and have good communication skills in English.
• Craft cart: Individuals will be paired with a current craft cart volunteer. Together, they will travel to clinical waiting areas throughout the hospital to provide patients and family members with pleasant diversions to pass the time, as well as allowing the volunteer to be a friendly visitor, lending support and hospitality.
• 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 a requirement for this position. Volunteers should have good communication skills in English and working knowledge of the hospital’s layout (learned).
• Market in the Park assistant: This is an outdoor role that assists vendors with setting up for the market. The position requires excellent communication skills and the ability to lift and push carts.
• 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 document scanning to helping in different areas throughout the hospital. No two jobs are the same, but they are all important to the mission of Roswell Park.
• Volunteer Office assistant: This position will have a variety of duties, which may include inputting data, putting together orientation packets, inventorying supplies, polishing the piano, preparing music in the lobby signage, etc.

What positions are open?

Below you will find the list of open volunteer opportunities for this program. This list is updated weekly, so please be sure to check this page prior to sending in your application and other required forms.

Application requirements

Applications for the program will be accepted February 2 - May 1, 2026 (or earlier if the program reaches capacity- don’t delay!)

All the following items must be received in our office before you will be accepted into the program:

• A completed 2026 Volunteer Application Form - Download Here
• Roswell Park Employee Health Clinic Minor Consent Form - Download Here
• 2026 Summer Student Parental Consent Form – Download Here
• A brief essay explaining why you would like to volunteer at Roswell Park
• A completed and signed 2026 Summer Student Volunteer Program Interest Form - Download Here

Once accepted into the program, you will be required to attend one of the two orientations offered below. This includes coming to campus 2 days prior to have a PPD test. *Keep this in mind when you apply*

• PPD test Tuesday, May 12 (anytime 1-3 p.m); Orientation Thursday, May 14 from 3-5 p.m.
• PPD test Monday, May 18 (anytime 1-3 p.m.); Orientation Wednesday, May 20th from 3-5 p.m.

Please contact Volunteer Services with any questions 716-845-5708 or to have the packet of application documents sent to you.

Completed documents can be emailed to: VolunteerOffice@RoswellPark.org