Watauga Medical Center & Cannon Memorial Hospital
Sallie Woodring
Director of Volunteer Services
(828) 737-7538
swoodring@apprhs.org
Volunteers are valued members of the ARHS patient care team and are always welcome at Cannon Memorial Hospital, Watauga Medical Center and several administrative offices within the healthcare system. A variety of work areas are available, as well as flexible schedules.
Volunteer Requirements
All volunteers must meet the following criteria before they are able to serve:
- Minimum age of 15
- Attend hospital orientation
- Receive a TB test
- Complete a competency test
Areas of Service
- Information Desk
- Gift Shop
- Pharmacy
- Cancer Center
- Nutrition Services
- Intensive Care
- Outpatient Surgery
- Outpatient Services
- Pain Clinic
- Admissions
- Lab
- Radiology
- Human Resources
- Other opportunities as arise
Watauga Medical Center
Join our caring and dedicated group of volunteers who provide quality support to our Medical Center personnel. The program has numerous volunteer opportunities for ASU students, seasonal, year round volunteers and junior volunteers in the summer.
Cannon Memorial Hospital
The program is open to year-round, seasonal and junior volunteers. Volunteers meet each month to plan events, coordinate fundraising activities and review hospital patient needs.
Junior Volunteers at Watauga Medical Center
Junior volunteers are welcome to volunteer at Watauga Medical Center. Junior volunteers must meet the following requirements:
- Junior volunteers are between the ages of 15 – 17
- Applications and permission forms must be completed and submitted to Annette Eggers by May 15th
- All junior volunteers are required to attend orientation
- Junior volunteers must make a commitment to serve at least five weeks of summer break
- Junior volunteers will be assigned one four hour shift per week
PAWS Pet Therapy Program
ARHS is also home to the PAWS Pet Therapy Program. If you and your certified pet therapy dog are interested in volunteering at one of our facilities, please call (828) 262-4408.
Learn more about our PAWS Pet Therapy Program.

Roger’s Reason: Finding purpose in volunteering
From the very beginning, Roger Mashke has always had a knack for interacting with and helping people. Whether it was running a successful television business or working as a volunteer firefighter, leaving a positive impact on another individual has always been his main source of motivation. That’s why when given the opportunity to volunteer for Charles A. Cannon Jr. Memorial Hospital, he knew it was what he wanted to do. Four years later, Mashke is still one of the most dedicated volunteers we have at Cannon Memorial Hospital and Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS) as a whole. Read More: Roger’s Reason: Finding purpose in volunteering
Heels of Hope Volunteer Program
Are you looking to find a meaningful way to volunteer your time? If so, we have a position for you! Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center has partnered with UNC Lineberger Cancer Center to offer a new position in which volunteers are trained to provide additional support to patients facing a…
read moreVolunteer Susie Morgan is retired and ‘refired’ after a career at ASU
Hi! My name is Susan (Susie) Morgan and I have been a volunteer in the Gift Shop at the Watauga Medical Center since October of 2016. I retired from Appalachian State University in 2015 after 20 years in various positions, most recently as Director of Academic Testing. Read More: Volunteer Susie Morgan is retired and ‘refired’ after a career at ASU
Barbara Robinson: 12 years of volunteer service
Barbara Robinson has been volunteering at WMC since 2006. She currently volunteers in radiation oncology and is a true blessing to anyone she meets. Read More: Barbara Robinson: 12 years of volunteer service