CommunityHealth shines the Volunteer Spotlight on Gavin Kleckner during June.
If there were an award for “Most Likely to Step in Without Being Asked,” Gavin would earn it time and again. Throughout 2025—particularly during periods when the pharmacy faced staffing challenges—Gavin consistently demonstrated exceptional teamwork and initiative. They supported both pharmacy operations and vaccination efforts, at times even training other volunteers in vaccination procedures, before returning to the pharmacy to assist wherever needed. Even during quieter moments, Gavin remained proactive, actively seeking additional ways to contribute rather than stepping back. Their dedication sets a strong example for the entire team.
Despite a lengthy commute to reach West Town, they consistently arrive ready to work, bringing a positive attitude each day. Wherever their path leads, both healthcare and the communities Gavin serves will undoubtedly benefit. We are deeply grateful for Gavin’s contributions and are fortunate to have them as part of our volunteer team.
For their dedicated volunteer service, Gavin was awarded 2025 Pharmacy Volunteer of the Year at the 2025 Volunteer of the Year Awards.
CommunityHealth sat down with Gavin to learn more about what quality health care for all means to them…
Tell us more about yourself and your background.
After working at Walgreens for a few years, I started working in the pharmacy after my manager asked me to. While working at Walgreens, I was able to get certified as a Pharmacy Technician through their training program. Currently, I work remote for a mail order pharmacy called OptioRx.
Why and how did you begin volunteering at CommunityHealth?
I wanted to volunteer for a while and knew I wanted to volunteer in healthcare. When I found CommunityHealth, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to help while doing something I love in a new capacity.
Do you remember your first day? What surprised you
On my first day at the clinic, I remember being shown the pharmacy and medications organized by donor. I was surprised by how many companies were donating and the volume of donated goods CommunityHealth receives. I also remember how nice everyone I met was.
What has kept you volunteering all this time?
The people and the feeling of community have kept me volunteering. It’s so nice to meet all the students, professionals, and patients, and getting to know everyone.
What has been your biggest takeaway from your time with CommunityHealth, and how does it impact your life or career goals?
My biggest takeaway has been the feeling of helping others who truly need it. I feel it has impacted my view of the pharmacy profession by making me realize that I can do more to help than what I originally thought.
How has working with CommunityHealth influenced your perception of healthcare?
Working with CommunityHealth has influenced my perception by giving me the opportunity to learn from a variety of fields in healthcare and understand how they interact.
Why is volunteering important to you?
Volunteering is important to me because I know people who can’t afford healthcare. I see how it takes a toll physically and mentally when people can’t get help, and how it takes a toll financially when people have no other choice but to pay out of pocket. Along with getting to help people who need it, I work remote, so getting to work in a pharmacy still keeps me in touch with the profession and reminds me of how the work I do helps the community.
Outside of volunteering with CommunityHealth, how do you like to spend your free time?
I like to spend my free time working with electronics. Currently, I have a four node Proxmox cluster running and I’ve recently obtained two Cisco enterprise switches to start learning more about networking and Cisco IOS. I’m also tinkering with OpenWRT on two routers.
What is your favorite book or movie?
I’m not much of a reader but my favorite movies are Asteroid City and The Cat Returns.
If you could master any skill overnight, what would it be?
If I could master any skill overnight, I would love to be a great woodworker.
