Rhonda Perkins

2024 Servant's Heart Award Winner

Rhonda Perkins, a volunteer at Johnston Memorial Hospital’s Cancer Center, models an incredible dedication to her work and an inspiring level of care for the patients she serves. 

Rhonda has been volunteering at the cancer center since 2016. She has more than 2,000 volunteer hours working directly with the staff and patients in the chemotherapy infusion unit. 

Although her shift is one day a week, Rhonda always checks the schedule before leaving, looking for additional days when the center is extra busy so she can come help the other volunteers. And while her shifts are four hours, Rhonda often stays all day, attending to patients with kindness and compassion. 

As soon as patients are seated in the infusion room, she is there with them, offering a warm blanket, a drink or a snack. She makes sure that everyone gets a lunch, and she listens and gets to know the people she cares for, often meeting needs without ever being asked. Rhonda is a comfort to patients during the hardest times of their lives. People arrive at the cancer center as patients but leave as her friends. 

Rhonda is always willing to lend a hand in any way needed. After treatments, she helps clean up the center, gather laundry, clean chairs and stock the supply room. 

In addition to her volunteer role in the cancer center, Rhonda serves Johnston Memorial’s auxiliary, organizing and staffing fundraisers to benefit patients and families. She is also involved heavily in her church and school programs such as the “Backpacks for Kids Program.” 

Rhonda is also active with Cancer Outreach Foundation, an organization that assists cancer patients in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. 

Volunteering with a smile and compassion has made Rhonda one of the shining lights at Johnston Memorial.