For nearly two decades, Malta House of Care has relied on the power of volunteers to provide thousands of free primary care visits each year.
From physicians and nurses to psychologists and interpreters, Malta volunteers have contributed over 60,000 hours of service since we welcomed our first patients in 2006. In 2024 alone, more than 50 active medical volunteers donated around 3,400 hours of time and talent to care for our uninsured neighbors.
Their compassion is what makes Malta truly special. Each visit, each patient conversation, each follow-up call reflects the dedication of people who give their time simply to help others. As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
This spring, we are especially proud to spotlight four of our incredible volunteers, starting with one of Malta’s very first: Pauline Olsen, MD.
Pauline Olsen, MD
19 Years of Healing and Hope
One of Malta’s founding volunteers and a retired OB-GYN, Dr. Pauline Olsen recently retired (again!) in January 2025 after providing 19 years of clinical care to Malta patients.
What stood out most to her over the years? “How genuinely appreciative and grateful the patients are to have someone care about their health,” she says. “And how all the volunteers and staff truly care for each patient and go out of their way to help them.”
Dr. Olsen remembers early days when volunteers would work their hospital shifts, then show up on their day off to care for Malta patients. “Patients would often bring in a card or a treat to say thank you. It meant the world.”
Joyce Kamanitz, MD
Mental Health, Compassionate Care
Joyce, a psychiatrist with 30 years in private practice, was inspired to join Malta after hearing about it from a friend who volunteered.
“Every time I leave, I feel inspired by my patients’ bravery, love for their families, and determination for a better life,” she shares. “It’s a blessing to be able to give to others.”
Judy Keane, RN
A Weekly Gift
Judy joined Malta in 2015 after retiring from Capital Community College’s nursing department. What started as a way to “fill time” quickly became something more.
“I found I was always learning—from EPIC, from my peers, from the patients,” she says. “The smiles I get when patients see I’ll be their nurse for the day—that’s a gift to me.”
Barb Parlee, RN
Bringing Experience and Empathy
Barb first started volunteering at Malta around 2011 while working at Saint Francis Hospital and returned in 2023 after retiring from her 45-year nursing career.
“I saw firsthand how patients would delay care until they were in crisis,” she says. “Malta helps people avoid that spiral. I missed that connection to patients, and I’m grateful to continue helping here in retirement.”
Every smile, every warm hello, every hour volunteered—it all matters.
Thank you to all of Malta’s extraordinary volunteers.
You are the heartbeat of our mission.
Interested in joining our team of volunteers?
If you’re 21 or older and a licensed physician, nurse, nurse practitioner/physician assistant, EMT, or medical interpreter, we’d love to hear from you! Learn how you can make a difference.