DES MOINES, Iowa — UnityPoint Health in downtown Des Moines is busy constantly. Whether its nurses, patients or children, the hospital is filled with noise.
But amid the bustle of people working hard, the soft soundwaves of a grand piano can be heard all the way on the fourth floor from the ground level. On Wednesdays, it's Joan Shultz creating that noise.
Shultz began learning how to play the piano in second grade. Now with decades of musical experience to play with, she has volunteered once a week for the past five years to play UnityPoint Health's piano in front of everyone.
"Just a chance for us to brighten somebody's day," Shlutz told Local 5 News on Wednesday why she plays. "Plus we love to play."
UnityPoint Health has around 600 volunteers across its three campuses for various roles, with Shultz being one of them. Last year, 669 teen, college and adult volunteers gave 52,826 hours of service which equals $1.4 million in value to UnityPoint Health's hospitals and the Des Moines community.
Shlutz's music has become a constant joy for children, nurses and patients. And also melodic magic people will sit and enjoy for hours. Volunteering the past five years hasn't been Shultz's first visit to UnityPoint Health Blank Children's Hospital. Not only has she met people who listen to her play -- and sees as family -- but Shultz also had her family there.
"Both of our children were born here," Shultz said. "Our daughter Rebecca was born too soon. And she was in NICU for 53 days. And the day that we walked out of here, she passed in 1990, I said: 'you know, when I retire, I'll be back.'"
When Shultz retired five years ago, she immediately began her new gig as a part-time pianist, a volunteer position she doesn't take for granted.
If you're interested in volunteering at UnityPoint Health, you can visit its website here for more.