More Than Giving

For Ruth Erickson, supporting Mount Auburn Hospital has always meant more than making a gift. A longtime donor, volunteer, patient, and advocate, Ruth has spent decades investing in the hospital and the community it serves. Most recently, she and her husband, Paul Goularte, made a significant investment to establish and endow the Ruth G. Erickson Volunteer Program. Through their gift, Mount Auburn’s Volunteer Program will continue to foster connections between the hospital and the community, creating a lasting legacy of volunteerism for generations to come. 

The gift reflects a belief that has guided Ruth throughout her life: giving back matters. “I grew up in a family where volunteering was expected,” she says. “It’s always been important to me.” 

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Born at Mount Auburn, Ruth has a relationship with the hospital that spans a lifetime. Over the years, she and Paul have supported a variety of initiatives across Mount Auburn, including the Erickson Family Lung Center, reflecting their deep commitment to the hospital’s mission and the people it serves. 

For Ruth, however, philanthropy is just one way of giving back. 

That belief inspired her to begin volunteering at Mount Auburn shortly before retiring in 2016. Since then, she has become a familiar face throughout the hospital, first in the Gift Shop and more recently in the Sigmund and Barbara Herzstein Wellness Center. Whether assisting visitors, supporting patients, or simply offering a listening ear, Ruth sees volunteer service as one of the most meaningful ways to make a difference. “Patient contact is important to me,” she says. “Sometimes just listening to someone can make a difference.” 

Following the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ruth wanted to help Mount Auburn rebuild and expand its volunteer program. She saw firsthand the value volunteers bring to patients, families, and staff and thought there was an opportunity to create new pathways for community members to get involved. 

Today, that vision is taking shape through the Ruth G. Erickson Volunteer Program. Under the leadership of Volunteer Services Manager Molly Fraust-Wylie, volunteers now support the Gift Shop and services throughout the hospital, including Oncology, Perinatal Services, the Emergency Department, Pathology, Physical Therapy, Wellness Services, and Pastoral Care. New partnerships with schools, colleges, and community organizations are helping expand recruitment efforts, while investments in volunteer training, onboarding, and engagement are creating a strong foundation for future growth. 

The results are already evident. The program has welcomed dozens of new volunteers, with additional volunteers currently moving through the training process. New opportunities continue to emerge across the hospital, enhancing the experience of patients, families, and staff while providing meaningful ways for community members to serve. 

“Ruth has been an invaluable partner as we’ve worked to expand volunteerism at Mount Auburn,” says Fraust-Wylie. “Her support has helped us create new opportunities for people to engage with the hospital, strengthen connections, and enhance the experience of patients, families, and staff.” 

Ruth is especially excited about the program’s future and its ability to engage people of all ages. “There are so many talented people who want to help,” she says. “Whether it’s a retiree with years of experience, a student looking to give back, or someone with a special skill or interest, there are opportunities to make a difference.” 

For Ruth, volunteerism offers something unique. It strengthens relationships, builds community, and helps people feel connected to the place where they receive care. That combination of philanthropy and personal service is what makes her relationship with Mount Auburn so distinctive. She is not only helping to permanently fund the future of volunteerism at the hospital but actively participating in it every week. 

“Ruth’s lifelong connection to Mount Auburn Hospital has been deeply influenced by the care her family received here over many years,” says Ed Huang, MD, President of Mount Auburn Hospital. “Her generosity and service reflect a profound gratitude for those experiences and a desire to give back. The Ruth G. Erickson Volunteer Program is a wonderful example of the impact she continues to have on our hospital community, and this legacy will be felt by patients, families, staff, and volunteers for many years to come.” 

For Ruth, the message is simple. “Giving financially is important,” she says. “But volunteering matters too, and it is actually fun.” 

Through her generosity, her service, and her commitment to the Ruth G. Erickson Volunteer Program, Ruth is helping ensure that volunteerism remains a vibrant and growing part of Mount Auburn’s future.

Learn more about the Ruth G. Erickson Volunteer Program.