Lola Hulton walked into Hotel Dieu Hospital (HDH) as an 18-year-old nursing student, beginning a journey that has spanned decades of care, compassion, and commitment.
Today, she’s still a beloved part of the Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) family - now as a volunteer who continues to share her warmth, wisdom, and sense of humour with everyone she meets.
“I have been at HDH since I was 18 years old,” says Hulton. “I had a wonderful nursing career for 35 years. I appreciated working with the Religious Hospitallers of St Joseph all through these years. Therefore I am happy to be able to ‘give back,’ so to speak.”
After retiring from her nursing career, Lola chose to continue serving at the hospital she has always called home. Most often found at the Information Desk in the main lobby, she also helps behind the scenes with appointment reminder calls, committee work, and activities that support Spiritual Care. Her colleagues know her for her warmth - and her wit, often joking that she “came over on the boat with Jeanne Mance.”
And as HDH celebrates 180 years of care this September, Hulton’s presence feels especially meaningful.
“I enjoy being able to assist patients and staff in any way I can,” she says. “Even if it seems like a small act to a patient, it can make their visit at the hospital more pleasant.”
For Hulton, volunteering is not just about giving back, it’s about carrying forward a legacy.
“The world could not function without volunteers. Volunteering not only helps the organization, patients and staff, but also gives me a sense of worth, purpose and well-being.”
From her very first days as a nurse to her ongoing service as a volunteer, Hulton’s story is woven into the history of HDH – a history that continues to inspire, just like she does.
