Melanie "Lanie" Brown loves living in a smaller town. Originally from Florida, Brown moved to Gaffney to attend Limestone University, where she studies pre-med/biology and is a member of her school's acrobatics and tumbling team.

After graduating college, Brown's goal is to attend school to become a physician assistant, and she wanted hands-on experience in health care.

Brown connected with Volunteer Services Manager Jill Dugaw, who helped her begin volunteering in the emergency department at Cherokee Medical Center.

"I wanted to see health care in a positive setting," Brown said. "In smaller hospitals, you really get to know the patients and staff on a personal level."

What began as a volunteer position quickly turned into something more. Brown was hired as a part-time patient care associate in the emergency room at Cherokee Medical Center through connections she made volunteering. She will start working when her spring semester ends.

Brown said it helps that she is already familiar with the hospital's culture and feels more confident going into her job with volunteer experience under her belt.

Despite juggling classes and her commitments as a student-athlete, Brown prioritizes her volunteer role of bringing a cheer cart to hospital patients.

The cheer cart carries supplies for patients to take what they need. Supplies range from phone chargers to adult coloring books, and it gives volunteers a unique opportunity to interact with patients and bring them joy during difficult times.

"My favorite part is the look on patients' faces when I bring the cart around," Brown said. "Being able to give a gift to someone just makes their day."

Brown loves being in a role where small gestures make an impact on someone in a vulnerable state.

Being at a smaller hospital, Brown also has more time to sit with patients and talk to them, which can be especially helpful.

Brown's advice is straightforward for anyone considering similar volunteer opportunities, especially students: "If you have a heart for health care, just go for it."

As she continues her journey toward graduation and physician assistant school, the lessons Brown has learned will shape her approach to patient care for years to come — proving that sometimes the biggest impacts happen in the smallest places.

To explore volunteer service opportunities through Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, visit Go.SRHS.com/Volunteer.