The Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain volunteers provide invaluable support to patients throughout the year. OGJVAMC volunteers Brian Despins, left, and John Meyer tend the coffee station where veterans and visitors can get coffee and often snacks. They also provide information, directions and will escort when needed. (Submitted photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — The double doors slide open and a veteran quietly walks into the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain. The doors aren’t even closed yet and the veteran is greeted with a cheery hello by one of several red coat volunteers at the medical center.

The volunteer quickly follows up by asking the veteran if they knows where they are going for an appointment and offers to escort them there if new to the facility.

Every day, veterans at the medical center are greeted by red coat volunteers who answer questions, help veterans and guests navigate the facility, and simply offer comfort and reassurance.

“What impresses me is the passion and kindness with which our volunteers serve our veterans,” said Katie Maxon, chief of VA Voluntary Services. “While our red coat volunteers are very visible to outpatients and visitors, we have so many volunteers who help support our mission to provide an exceptional health care experience to veterans.”

Last year, OGJVAMC volunteers provided 19,000 hours of service, which is the equivalent to more than nine full-time employees. They provided invaluable support to many departments and programs at the medical center including the Care Companion hospice program, patient escort, coffee station and department staff support, to name a few.

The largest volunteer program at the medical center is the Veterans Transportation Network. According to Maxon, 125 volunteer drivers logged more than 141,000 miles, transporting 1,383 veterans to and from their VA appointments in 2025.

The program covers the entire VA catchment area, transporting veterans from across the U.P. and northern Wisconsin.

“Our driver volunteers are astounding,” Maxon said. “They bring patients to our facility from Sault Ste. Marie, Ironwood, the Keweenaw, Rhinelander, Menominee and everywhere in between. They make it possible for many of our veterans to access health care despite our rural area and transportation challenges.”

The impressive efforts that VA volunteers accomplish, however, are more than just statistics. They are critical to providing an excellent patient experience.

“We cannot measure the quality of holding the hand of a hospice patient, the reassuring smiles that greet patients and visitors as they enter our facility, or the stories told while transporting veterans,” said Dr. John Shealey, medical center director. “I have witnessed first-hand the incredible work ethic, fierce dedication and passionate hearts of our volunteers. We truly cannot thank them enough.”

The Iron Mountain VA Medical Center will honor volunteers across the catchment area with a small gift and recognition lunches throughout May and June.

Anyone interested in volunteering at the Iron Mountain VA or as a driver can call VA Voluntary Service office at 906-774-3300, ext. 32780, or go to https://www.va.gov/iron-mountain-health-care/work-with-us/volunteer-or-donate/.