Volunteer

We have the BEST volunteers at Mission of Mercy!

Mission of Mercy thrives on the invaluable contributions of over 100 dedicated volunteers who fill a variety of essential roles within the MOM organization.

In our clinics, volunteers serve as physicians, nurses (RNs), and medical interpreters to provide quality primary healthcare. Volunteer RV drivers ensure our mobile unit is present at clinic sites. Registration and record keeping volunteers round out our team to ensure all MOM patients are provided with dignity and compassion from the time they walk into a clinic until they leave.

Beyond the clinic walls, our outreach volunteers actively engage with the community, spreading awareness and connecting those in need to our services, recruiting volunteers and connecting with potential community partners. Meanwhile, administrative office volunteers play an important role handling critical tasks behind the scenes, helping with events and communication, and calling to thank our donors and supporters.

Volunteer Opportunities

An in-person clinic tour and online screening is required for every volunteer. Current *HOT* opportunities:
  • We are in GREAT NEED of volunteer drivers to operate our mobile medical unit RV. Valid driver license and MVD record check required.
  • Interpreters are needed at our Avondale and Chandler clinics.
Clinic Set-Up – Chandler, Mesa, and Phoenix Clinics The ideal candidate(s) would be:
  1. Able to assist with clinic set-up from 5:30-6:30 AM at various clinic sites (on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays)
  2. Able to lift at least 30 lbs.
  3. Available to commit to 4+ hours per week.
  4. Able to fill in to drive the RV as needed.
Spanish-English Interpreter – Avondale, Chandler, Maryvale, and Phoenix Clinics
  • Interpreters help our Limited-English-Proficient patients and the medical and clinic staff and volunteers communicate with each other.
  • The goal of the interpreter is to have people hear the interpretation as if it were the original.
  • Must be sensitive to patients’ personal circumstances and culture as well as be able to maintain confidentiality and ethical standards.
  • A language screening is required.
Nurse
  • Nursing volunteers work in collaboration with the clinic physicians to see patients as efficiently as possible and to provide nursing care.
  • Duties include obtaining vital signs, patient health history, basic laboratory procedures, and patient education.
  • Nurses maintain complete documentation in the patient medical record and have a current nursing license or previously have been a Registered Nurse.
Community Outreach Events
  • Volunteers are needed who can attend community Health Fairs to represent Mission of Mercy by creating community awareness of our services and clinic sites.
  • Verbal engagement with the public is required, and training is provided.
  • Being bilingual is preferred.
Medical RV Driver *HIGH NEED*
  • Driver for our Medical RV.
  • Duties include picking up the RV from the Franciscan Renewal Center and driving the RV to our Phoenix or Mesa Clinics.
  • At the end of the day, the RV is to be returned to the place of pickup.
  • Valid driver license and MVD record check required.
Photographer Volunteer Photographers are needed to take photos at MOM events and at the clinic sites. Office Volunteer Administrative duties may include:  data entry of volunteer registration information, making phone calls, writing thank you notes, mailing out information, filing, compiling organizational packets/resources, etc.
Interested in Volunteering?
Contact Shoshana Simones at 602.861.2233 or email ssimones@amissionofmercy.org

Volunteer Spotlight

When Dr. Paul Ledesma, MS, DPM, and his wife, Lisa Pallini, both podiatrists, decided to attend the World Day of the Sick Healing Mass at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral in Phoenix earlier this year, they had no idea that an opportunity to fulfill a long-held desire to serve would present itself. Both podiatrists have always been interested in doing missionary work within their field, but envisioned missionary trips to third-world countries and not necessarily serving in their own community. Mission of Mercy hosted a table at the health fair following the mass, and Executive Director Paula Carvalho had the opportunity to educate Dr. Ledesma and Dr. Pallini about the great local need for volunteer physicians and specialists within MOM’s clinics, particularly those who can treat patients dealing with complications related to diabetes. “Podiatrists are strategically critical for diabetics as part of their medical care team because we do see a lot of complications in the feet that happen as a result of diabetes,” said Dr. Ledesma, who has been practicing podiatry for nearly 20 years. “I’ve always had a passion for helping diabetics, as both sides of my family have been impacted by the chronic health condition. I lost my father at just 62 as a result of a direct complication of diabetes, so helping in this area is important to me.” Volunteering at MOM April is National Foot Health Awareness Month, and  marks the start of Dr. Ledesma’s volunteer service at MOM’s North Phoenix Baptist clinic site, which is home to a comprehensive diabetes management program. He plans to volunteer quarterly at a minimum, and his wife will join him when she’s able. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, approximately 20% of the U.S. population has at least one foot problem annually. It may be the result of poor fitting shoes, or a serious underlying health problem such as peripheral neuropathy, diabetes or obesity. “Unfortunately with underserved populations like the patients seen at MOM clinics, lack of access to care and medication leads to poor health outcomes,” Dr. Ledesma said. “In fact, when a diabetic has a major amputation, the five-year mortality rate is 75%. That underscores how critical it is to treat patients early on and preserve limbs whenever possible.” A Global Reach Dr. Ledesma is passionate about helping diabetics all around the world, including those in his native Philippines. He founded a medical company that helps diabetics by distributing a biological allograft derived from donated amniotic tissue that accelerates the healing process. It’s a medical product commonly used in the U.S., but his company is the only certified vendor providing it in the Philippines. Dr. Ledesma completed his surgical residency at Harvard-affiliated Cambridge Hospital, in Cambridge, Mass., where he obtained advanced surgical training in the areas of adult and pediatric flatfoot reconstruction, diabetic Charcot and limb salvage, and external fixation. Dr. Ledesma owns Ledesma Foot and Ankle in Scottsdale, Ariz., which recently celebrated its 11th anniversary serving patients in need of foot and ankle care.His family moved to Arizona in 2009 for sunshine and to be closer to extended family. Outside of podiatry, Dr. Ledesma enjoys practicing Brazilian jiu jitsu, playing golf, fly fishing, scuba diving, tennis, playing the guitar, and spending time with his wife and two children.