Retired biology professor blends passion for science into volunteer work
January 18, 2018
Pictured: University of Minnesota neuroscience graduate students Morgan Newhoff (left) and Reshma Gore were invited by Lyngblomsten volunteer Jane Phillips (right) to present during a recent “Science with Jane” event organized by Phillips for Lyngblomsten Care Center residents.
By Brandi Jewett, Lyngblomsten staff writer
The people and halls of Lyngblomsten were familiar to Jane Phillips long before she began volunteering on its campus two-and-a-half years ago.
Her parents lived for two years in the Lyngblomsten Care Center before their passing, and Phillips visited them frequently. During those visits, she saw how volunteers made a positive impact on the lives of residents and staff members.
Phillips has since joined the ranks of the more than 700 volunteers supporting Lyngblomsten, a place she considers very welcoming.
“If you want a place where you will feel like a part of the community, this is it,” she said. “It’ll envelop you. It will take you in and give you a big hug.”
Like many volunteers, Phillips is using her skills to engage and improve the lives of those around her.
After spending 40 years as a biology instructor at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and University of Wisconsin-Madison, Phillips continues to tap into her passion for science as part of her work at Lyngblomsten.
About once a month, she hosts a program called “Science with Jane” for Care Center residents.
As part of the program, Phillips invites college students and instructors to Lyngblomsten to share their expertise with residents. The program has covered a variety of topics, including DNA, the cardiovascular system, the solar system, marine biology, and neuroscience.
“I like doing this because there’s lots of art and music here—which is important and wonderful—but there’s a bunch of geeks out there, too,” she said. “People like to learn about science. Even if you’re not going to be a scientist or anything else, it’s still really interesting to learn about how the body works or how the world works.”
When she’s not helping others explore science, she’s a regular volunteer in several areas around the Lyngblomsten campus.
On Tuesdays, Phillips transports patients from the Transitional Care Unit (TCU) to physical therapy and occupational therapy sessions. During these walks, Phillips says she enjoys chatting with people and learning about their backgrounds. The people she transports can change often as they recover and transition out of the TCU, but that’s all right with her.
“I just enjoy people,” Phillips said.
That enjoyment carries over to her volunteer shifts at Anna’s café and gifts, where many converge each day for a bite to eat and some conversation. On Wednesday mornings, she restocks the café’s inventory, takes her post at the cash register, and greets visitors dropping in for snacks or to browse the gift shop.
She also accompanies tenants on monthly runs to local retail stores and serves on the Volunteer Advisory Council.
“There are so many opportunities here that you will find something that you will like to do,” she said.
Do you have a unique passion or skill that you’d like to share with the Lyngblomsten community? Then contact Shelli Beck, Lead Volunteer Coordinator, at (651) 414-5297 or sbeck@lyngblomsten.org and share your idea. For more information about becoming a volunteer, click here.
