As I reported in our most recent newsletter, one of Calvary’s most popular Life Skills Education classes, Ask the Nurse, has returned! This past week I was able to attend a session with our new volunteer, Jo Anne Davis, a nurse at the Georgetown University Medical Center.

Despite this being her first time volunteering at Calvary, Jo Anne had an instant rapport with the women attending the class. The women were immediately comfortable opening up and asking any and all questions they had. Throughout the 45 minute class they covered topics ranging from high blood pressure to sickle cell, HIV, blood transfusions, menopause, urinary tract infections, migraines, and child birth.

For 30 years Jo Anne has delivered babies and taught midwives and nurses. And in some of her subsequent sessions her midwifery students will be joining her at Calvary to discuss these women’s health issues in more depth. However, this session was all over the map!

Jo Anne enjoyed the class as much as the women who attended.  She said, “I’ve taken care of women my entire career, and you can never have too much medical information. Anything I can do to help people understand more, feel better about themselves, and help them learn how to help themselves, it’s a good day!”

In addition to providing great information, Jo Anne also brought her blood pressure cuff.  Ten women had their blood pressure checked, and then had private conversations with Jo Anne about their results.

As excited as Jo Anne is about joining our volunteer team, the women at Calvary are even happier to have her. Many stayed around after the class to thank her for her time and to share personal tidbits, including one woman who is just about to become a grandmother! As one woman said, “I really enjoyed this! Thanks for being here with us!”- a sentiment that was shared by all.

We are so very excited to welcome such a skilled and compassionate nurse and volunteer to Calvary!

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