By Dana Erickson
From a young age Ms. Sandra McAlhaney wanted to be one of those people that helped. For the patients and their families who come to Colleton Medical Center she helps. It may be a smile, a nod, or a good morning, but the underlying message is the same; “I know you being here today may be difficult. Is there something I can do to help things be not so difficult?”
Ms. Sandra recalls when she was young her parents would go to visit family members in the hospital when they were ill. She remembers the “older” people in the hospital who helped. They would direct family members to their loved one’s room, give directions to the nearest elevator, stairway, or to the cafeteria. They were being helpful and kind, and at the ripe old age of childhood she decided she wanted to be one of those people.
Naturally, before she got to be one of those “older” people at the hospital, she built her life. She married and had two children while establishing a career in banking investment for 28 years. Like any good mom, Ms. Sandra did not turn down the opportunity to express how proud she was of her children. She has a daughter and a son and their accomplishments are impressive. Her daughter is a Doctor of Rheumatology in Ridgeland and her son and daughter-in-law are missionaries in Kenya, Africa and have lived there for 11 years. Of course, the distance makes communication a little difficult Ms. Sandra says there is video chat and Facebook and that allows her to stay in touch over the miles. She understands they were called to be missionaries, and is very proud they followed that calling. While she is of course very proud of her children, she positively beams when asked about her grandchildren, (obviously because grandparents are awesome and cool). The jewelry she wears is very understated, and her showcase piece is a gold charm on a thin gold chain that reads “#1 Grandma”. She loves the charm, declares that it “goes with everything”, and wears it daily.
Ms. McAlhaney’s life has not remained untouched by sadness. In 2019, her husband of 52 years passed. She did work after at her church part-time, but after that she started volunteering. Circling back to when she was a girl, she kept getting drawn back to the hospitals. Living in St. George, her options were to volunteer at MUSC Health-Orangeburg or Colleton Medical Center. She ultimately decided on Colleton Medical Center. She approached the volunteer center, filled out necessary paperwork, and waited for her background check to be completed. Ms. Sandra had days and times that would work best for her, but she did not want to impose a schedule for a volunteer position. When she received the call from CMC about when she could start, it just so happened that the day and time they needed volunteers for coincided precisely with her optimal availability, and that was that. Colleton Medical Center brought on their newest volunteer at the time; Ms. Sandra McAlhaney. She has been at CMC since the Spring of 2019. Due to Covid, there was a period for approximately a year and a half that Ms. Sandra was not able to volunteer, but once the restrictions were lifted she was right back at CMC being that person who was helping and being kind.
When asked what her favorite aspect was about volunteering was, she paused for a moment. She was concerned her answer would sound selfish and self-promoting, but she was worried for nothing. She said her favorite thing was when someone said “thank you”. She explained that she loved hearing that, because it meant she helped that person. She acknowledges that having a loved one in the hospital or coming in for procedures can be very stressful. She hopes that with a smile, hello, and can I help you with anything she can ease that burden. When someone thanks her, she has fulfilled what she wanted to do when she was a girl and saw those “older people” being helpful and kind to those who came through the hospital doors.
She acknowledges with a laugh she is now those “older people” since she is in her 70’s, but her commitment to helping is a strong today as it was when she was a little girl. I asked her what she thought her future plans may be. She comments when she turns 80 she’ll decide for sure, but for now as long as she is able she will continue to volunteer. As a side note, Ms. Sandra’s birthday is the 23rd, so stop by and say “Happy Birthday”.
Thank you, Sandra McAlhaney for giving of yourself to make things easier for those who need it in the community.
If you have someone you would like to nominate for Spotlight contact The Press and Standard at 843-549-2586, Scott Grooms at sgrooms@lowcountry.com, or Dana Erickson at editor@lowcountry.com
