21 Nov Volunteer Series – Pam Pagano

The call to help others has been a constant in Pam Pagano’s life and led her to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northern Nevada. Prior to volunteering at RMHC Northern Nevada, Pam worked as a nurse and as a nursing supervisor for Hospice, which allowed her to experience firsthand how families are affected by a hospital stay.

“Most of my career was adult medicine… and I liked working with families because the support [they] need is huge,” she said.

After retiring, Pam knew that she wanted to continue to help others and use her skills she developed as a nurse.

“I have that [medical] background… and I have that base to know that somethings not right,” she said. “I’m able to use my skills, but on a nice, volunteer basis.”

Not only is Pam able to put her skills to use, she believes that the most rewarding part about volunteering is that she allows families the opportunities to stay close when they are blindsided by a medical emergency.

“It’s just knowing that you’re part of something that makes [families] feel comfortable and they can just be a family while they’re here,” she said.

While volunteering at the House and Renown Children’s Hospital Ronald McDonald Family Room, Pam has impacted many families, but she has a special respect for the other volunteers that she has met along the way.

“[The volunteers] all come from different backgrounds, but the reason everyone wants to come together is the same and I’ve fallen in love with everybody here,” she said. “[Volunteering] can feel like it’s a small part, but in a small way, you’re making a difference.”