For Charles Clark, the care and genuine kindness the team at Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital gave to his wife in her final days could never be repaid.
But he sure is trying.
Shortly after his wife of 41 years, Mary Ann, passed away in 2016, Clark decided to volunteer on the critical care unit to show his appreciation for the high-quality care and compassion the critical care unit team gave to his wife and the support given to him during such a devastating time.
His dedication to giving back to the care team shows in the more than 3,150 volunteer hours he’s accumulated – the equivalent of more than 390 eight-hour workdays. It makes him one of the health system’s most frequent and dedicated volunteers.
“I look forward to it,” Clark says. “It makes me feel good knowing I can help those young ladies any way I can. Anything I can do to help those nurses, I’ll do it.”

Like clockwork, the U.S. Navy veteran shows up on time every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for his four-hour shift – rain or shine. He’s eager to help the team with whatever needs to be done – from answering the phone to stocking cabinets with supplies to talking with patients or taking them water.
To him, those are small gestures that come from a place of gratitude for the comfort and kindness the critical care team gave to his family, especially his beloved Mary Ann.

“During her last two years of life, we spent a lot of time in the hospital there in Georgetown,” Clark says. “The nurses were really good when she was in there.
“It’s how they treated her with kindness. It was like they were talking to their own grandmother.”
During his first few volunteer shifts, reminders of his wife’s final days there couldn’t escape him. But focusing on his mission of giving back and the supportive kindness from the team helped him through it.
“When I first started, the room she passed away in – it would get to me,” Clark says. “I don’t think about it now.”

Now, Clark has become a vital part of the critical care unit team. New nurses on the unit learn about the unique role he fills before they even meet him. Team members appreciate his eagerness to help.
“Mr. Charles goes above and beyond for the staff and the patients. He even shows up on days he is not scheduled just to brighten our day with a treat and a kind word,” says Ashley Griffith, critical care unit director. “It means a lot that our team has been so influential in his life that he chooses to continue to bless us. Mr. Charles is one of a kind. We can’t imagine the unit without him.”

In addition to helping with tasks on the unit, Clark is known for treating the team to his homemade baked goods – from cookies to cobblers. His cobblers – apple, blueberry and more – are such a hit, a care team member asked him to bake some to serve at her baby shower. He was honored to oblige. When he says he’ll do anything to help those team members, he really does mean anything.
“Most of those ladies are like my daughters,” Clark says. “I love those girls up there.”