Service Runs Deep for Mount Sinai Shriner Volunteer

Noah Smith graduated from Boston University in May 2021 where he studied behavior and health. He volunteered at Shriners Children's Boston during his senior year, which was a natural fit for him since he would love to pursue a career in patient and family advocacy work. Noah is also interested in healthcare policy and hopes to earn a master’s degree in public health.

At 22, the Shriners' philanthropy, Shriners Children's, is already woven into Noah’s family tradition. Noah is a Shriner; following in the footsteps of his father Jim, who is also a Shriner. Jim is currently serving as Potentate of the Mount Sinai Shrine Center # 3 in Noah’s home state of Vermont.

In high school, Noah joined his father volunteering during some bingo night fundraisers held to support the Shrine Center. Jim is in the Mount Sinai motor corps unit and Noah remembers joining him at parades. “My dad drives a go kart over a limo at the parades. Sometimes I have joined him and other times I cheered him on with my family along the parade route,” he said.

Inspired by the philanthropy of Shriners International, Noah knew when he was in high school that he wanted to become more involved. “I was really drawn to the idea of giving back,” Noah shared.

Noah explained that he has long been interested in access to healthcare – particularly pediatric healthcare. As a Shriner himself, volunteering at Shriners Children's Boston was an ideal way to give back. “Service flows through me,” Noah said, in describing why he pursued a volunteer opportunity at Shriners Children's Boston.

Noah volunteered at the hospital for six months, learning more about the care provided, as well as how the Shriners' philanthropy supports our pediatric patients and their families. He had the opportunity to spend time in two departments – child life and supply chain – gaining a better understanding of departments’ roles in supporting our pediatric patients. Working with child life staff was an opportunity to help directly support patient care.

Working in supply chain, Noah helped bundle and deliver supplies, and helped maintain appropriate levels of stock throughout the hospital. Supply chain staff ensure that our clinicians, environmental services employees and other employees have what they need every day.

Noah also had the opportunity to shadow Kara Sher, RN, BSN, CPN, who is Shriners Children's Boston's nurse manager, inpatient services. He attended a patient care services team meeting with Kara, as well as a quality improvement and performance meeting. Noah says he was able to get a sense of what a typical day is like for Kara. “To experience the hustle and bustle of a busy day in the hospital really captured everything that the staff does to support the patients,” Noah said.

After graduation, Noah’s work focused on behavioral analysis of children from birth through kindergarten. When the opportunity to come back to Shriners Children's Boston as an employee arose, Noah jumped at the chance. In September, Noah joined the Shriners Children's Boston team as the medical staff coordinator. “It’s like a family,” he shared. “Coming back to Shriners [Children's] has been everything I’ve wanted and more. It has allowed me to follow my passions, and keep my momentum and motivation, to make a difference where I can. It has been refreshing to be welcomed back with familiar faces, but has opened doors to collaborate and work with new faces too! Returning has also allowed me to take on the role of credentialing Boston’s medical staff, necessary for getting our residents, clinical fellows and medical students properly on-boarded to start/continue their journeys to becoming doctors.”

Thank you Noah for helping to support our patients, families and staff!