Volunteer Spotlight: Debbie Kirzner, RN, Phlebotomist

Meet Debbie Kirzner, dedicated volunteer Phlebotomist who also helps our Nursing Team. As a retired nurse, she has spent her career in public health. We caught up with Debbie in between patients to learn more about why she loves volunteering with Culmore Clinic and a bit more about her life.

If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer like Debbie, you can learn more here.

How did you find out about Culmore Clinic and what made you decide to volunteer?
I learned about Culmore Clinic from a classmate at Encore Learning in Arlington. He has been volunteering at The Clinic for some time and he thought I’d enjoy it. I do!

Tell us a bit about your background? Where did you study? Where are you from? What do you do for work, etc.?
I graduated from Rutgers U, college of nursing in 1981, a long time ago!  And then received an MPH in 1994, also from Rutgers/ NJ College of Med and Dentistry.  I have moved many times due to my husband’s career, and have consequently worked in a variety of places (including the UK and Canada). My career has been focused in public health. I was employed for about 8 years at the Fairfax County Health Department and many of those years were spent in the School Health program. Bailey’s Elementary School happened to be one of the schools I was responsible for, so I am familiar with with the community Culmore Clinic serves!

What's your favorite part about working at Culmore Clinic?
I love the people at Culmore:  the staff, volunteers, and the patients.  It is such a caring warm and welcoming place.  I love volunteering here because I know I am being helpful and making a difference. And I know that I am appreciated!

When you’re not volunteering at Culmore Clinic, how do you spend your time?
I have been married almost forty-three years.  We have 2 adult daughters and 4 grandchildren! I love to swim, read and am also a docent at the Library of Congress and the American History Museum.