After retiring from the U.S. Post Office, George Moore wanted to give back to his community. At that point, he and his wife had been Kaiser Permanente members for over 50 years, so George decided to join the organization as a volunteer.
“Kaiser Permanente has always been very good to me and my family,” Moore said. “So, I just wanted to give back.”
Moore ended up volunteering for 28 years at the Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medical Center’s Perioperative Services Department, becoming a fixture among doctors, nurses, and other employees. He retired from volunteering in November after turning 91.
“I don’t know how many patients I pushed around in wheelchairs in this hospital over the years, but it was a lot,” Moore said. “The thing I liked the best is I met a lot of very nice people, the patients and their families, and I enjoyed working with all the nurses and doctors.”
He guided patients who needed surgery from registration to the pre-operation area and helped keep their families updated on how the patient’s surgery was going.
“George is so kind and has such a calming influence not only on patients, but also to the rest of the surgery team,” said Mindyn Longinotti, MD, an obstetrics and gynecology surgeon in Vallejo who has worked alongside Moore for 18 years. “Whenever patients would be anxious about their surgery, he was always there to comfort them.”
On Moore’s 91st birthday in November, he still showed up to volunteer.
Kathleen Littlepage, a nurse manager at the Perioperative Services Department in Vallejo, organized a birthday celebration with other nurses for him. They got him a pink “happy birthday” hat and a care package with snacks, a coffee mug, and a blanket.
“I was surprised that he came to volunteer on his birthday,” Littlepage said. “It speaks volumes to who he really is at heart.”
‘One of the most remarkable people’
Kaitlin Cuevas, a nursing student at Pacific Union College, trained as a volunteer under Moore over the summer of 2025. She said Moore taught her how to support and communicate with patients and their families.
“George is one of the most remarkable people I’ve ever worked with,” Cuevas said. “He shows up with more energy and dedication than most people half his age and never hesitates to go above and beyond. Training under him has shaped the way I support and communicate with patients and their families.”
Cuevas said she hopes to work as a registered nurse for Kaiser Permanente after graduating.
“George showed me what it means to be an excellent volunteer, and I aspire to be someone like him one day,” said Cuevas.
There are about 100 volunteers at the Vallejo Medical Center, and most volunteer for about 3 years, said Tiana Benson, who manages volunteers in Kaiser Permanente’s Vallejo and Vacaville facilities. She said Moore left a lasting mark with his presence in Vallejo.
“George has constantly gone above and beyond,” Benson said. “He has really made a difference through his volunteerism.”
Dr. Longinotti added: “I’m amazed and impressed by people who are willing to volunteer their time to help people. It’s very touching.”
