For new patients at the Multiple Myeloma Institute, MVP means much more than the best player in the ballgame. For them, an MVP is a Most Vital Pal, their assigned guide through the labyrinth of their care plan, part of an innovative new volunteer program at UAMS' Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute.

 

Janey Lowe directs the MVP (can also stand for Myeloma Volunteer Program) volunteers.

 

"This particular volunteer program is a big obligation, with extra training necessary, so when we started in this spring, we weren't sure how much interest it would generate," Lowe said, "But we've had a huge response. There's actually a waiting list to be an MVP volunteer."

 

The program pairs a highly trained volunteer with each new patient on the patient's first day in the program, helping them navigate their many appointments that first day and get oriented to the UAMS campus. MVP Lou Ellen Treadway explained that the Cancer Institute's physicians requested the special volunteer program because the first day's schedule demands were overwhelming for the patients and their caregivers trying to figure out where to go and what to do next on their own.

 

"Knowing where to go on this campus can be confusing for anyone," Treadway said. "But a lot of these patients only found out they had cancer a few days before, and then they're thrown into this vigorous schedule of appointments and forms to sign and everything in different buildings. It's too much, and we're there to help."

 

The volunteers arrive for their shift – usually one assigned day a week – and stay with the patient and caregiver until the last appointment of the day, often just before dinner. During the day, they are fully committed to putting their patient and caregiver at ease with the campus and healthcare providers they will be visiting daily for several weeks or months. The volunteers step away only when personal health information is being discussed, so HIPAA standards are never compromised. They show patients where to park, the quickest route to where they need to go, point out the pharmacy or where to get lunch, let them know about UAMS resources, and help smooth out any snags hit in the heavy schedule of appointments that day.

 

"Our MVPs are very savvy, and know how to expedite things for the patient when there are delays, know how to problem-solve, call the next department if scheduling conflicts arise, and can even run back to get a form left behind from another part of campus so the patient doesn't have to make that trek again," Lowe said. "They are true advocates, dedicated to that patient on Day 1."

 

Another MVP volunteer, Esther Crawford, said she tells her assigned patient and caregiver, "'I have no other agenda today but helping you feel as comfortable as possible with this new venture. Let us show you some hospitality.'

 

They are always just floored, and so very appreciative," she said.

 

"I see us as facilitators, escorts, ombudsmen, and as just a good friendly face to wrap our arms around them if they need it and take away some of their fear," Treadway said. As a 31-year cancer survivor herself, she understands the fear she sees on many of their faces.

 

Crawford said the volunteer must have the people skills necessary to judge how much help and attention a patient needs. "Some people are talkers, and want to tell you everything about their diagnosis and their kids and their life back home, ask a thousand questions, and some don't want much interaction at all," she said. "There's a fine line between being too intrusive and not intrusive enough. We treat each person with the same level of commitment and care, but individualize how much attention each receives, based on what they want from us."

 

In addition to providing an orientation to the UAMS campus, the MVPs often provide the patient's first real orientation to Arkansas. Because the Multiple Myeloma Institute is the top multiple myeloma treatment center in the world, patients come from across the nation and all over the globe.

 

"Big city people especially are pleasantly surprised by Arkansas, that we're not barefoot and pregnant, that our facilities and expertise is so advanced, that this is such a beautiful state and the people are so friendly," Lowe said. "They tell us all the time they can't believe people here actually look you in the eye when you speak."

 

For patients who feel well enough to do things on weekends, the MVPs and other Cancer Institute volunteers tell the newcomers about activities they might enjoy in Little Rock or weekend day trips worth a drive.

 

Lowe said that this program shows every sign of being as successful as the Cancer Institute's broader volunteer programs, which last year included more than 67,000 hours of volunteerism for the institute.

 

"There's something so affirming about this place, once you're a volunteer here, you don't tend to leave. I hear all the time from our volunteers that they simply can't imagine not being part of it."