AHAA 09-11 - Arkansas Hospital Association

September/October 2011
A Publication of the Arkansas Hospital Auxiliary Association
419 Natural resources Dr., Little Rock, AR
President’s Message
Dear Auxilians,
The year has gone by too quickly. I would like to Thank everyone for
all their hard work this year. A big Thank You to an outstanding State Board,
you have worked above and beyond to ensure everything was covered. The
District Chairs, who made sure the individual Auxiliaries received all the information and help they needed. Amber, at AHA, works behind the scenes to
make the Board meetings and the web page, run so smoothly, many thanks.
Thank you for all the kindness you have shown to Lynn and I as we
traveled over the State. The friendships we’ve made and renewed are so very
special to us. Auxilians are such beautiful and flexible people. Remember the
storms during the Spring District meetings. After the Jonesboro and Hot
Springs meetings, members went home to help others clean up the damage.
Convention is just around the corner. I hope you have made your reservations for both the convention and hotel. Our Convention Chair and CoChair, Darlene Tuohy and Pat Lavender have a great one planned. There are
workshops planned for the afternoons of both Wednesday and Thursday. The
Vendors Mini-Mall will be open two days as you requested. I know that some
of you who did some of your Christmas shopping between the Silent Auction
and Mini-Mall. Thursday evening’s Dinner/Silent Auction is entitled “Denim
and Diamonds”. I must give a big Thank You to Margaret Underwood, our
Northwest District Chair, for that great theme. The entertainment that night
will have music for all tastes.
Pam Wagner our newsletter editor has been diagnosed with cancer.
She is already going through test to determine the best course of action. She
has resigned her position as editor to consecrate on her health. She has asked
the membership for prayers for herself, her family and the medical staff she is
working with. Please, put her on your prayer list. I believe prayer can do anything, even move trees or mountains.
Shirley VanHorn, the incoming newsletter editor, has graciously accepted the office early. This is what we as volunteers do. We fill in, give
comfort, and ease many kinds of distress. We are there to help, where ever we
can. Thank you so much, Shirley!
Please send the names of the members that have passed away in the last
year now to Shirley. She will need following information: the member’s
name, Auxiliary and District. You may submit the information by e-mailing
her at: [email protected] or by phone at 479-200-3958. Remember
this is the last newsletter issue I will use for the names.
The volunteer work you do makes you
“SPARKLE LIKE DIAONDS!”
THANK YOU FOR A WONDERFUL YEAR!!
AHAA Board of Directors
PRESIDENT
Mary J. Frauenhoff
Summit Medical Center
107 Elfen Glen St.
Van Buren, AR 72956
(479) 474-6306
[email protected]
PRESIDENT ELECT
Lynn Smith
Medical Center of South AR
250 Forest Lake Dr.
El Dorado, AR 71730
(870) 864-0473
[email protected]
VICE PRESIDENT
Darlene Tuohy
Mercy Medical Center
17 Tanyard Dr.
Bella Vista, AR 72715
(479) 855-8720
[email protected]
SECRETARY
Shirley Walters
St. Edward Mercy Med. Center
P.O. Box 1876
Greenwood, AR 72936
(479) 996-4520
[email protected]
TREASURER
Sharon Sly
Siloam Springs Memorial
56167 CR 660
Colcord, OK 74338
(918) 597-3202
[email protected]
NEWSLETTER EDITOR
Shirley VanHorn
Washington Regional Med. Center
11879 Red Oak Dr.
Fayetteville, AR 72704
(479)200-3958
[email protected]
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Carolyn Hannon
Baxter Regional Medical Center
1205 Meadowbrook Dr.
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-9552
[email protected]
Mark Your Calendars
State Convention & 2011/2012 District Meetings
Special thanks to the host Auxiliaries of the 2011/2012 AHAA District Meetings. See you
there!
FALL 2011
Slate of Officers for
2011-2012
October 5-7
AHAA State Convention, Double Tree Hotel
– Little Rock
President: Lynn Smith, Medical
Center of South Arkansas
October 17 (Monday)
Northeast: Piggott Community Hospital
– Piggott
President Elect: Sharon Huffmire, Baxter Regional Medical
Center
North Central: Baxter Regional Medical Center
October 18 (Tuesday) –
Mountain Home
October 19
(Wednesday)
Northwest: St. John’s Hospital –
Berryville
October 20
(Thursday)
Valley: Summit Medical Center –
Van Buren
Southeast: Bradley Country Medical Center –
October 25 (Tuesday)
Warren
October 26
(Wednesday)
Southwest: St. Joseph’s Mercy Health Center –
Hot Springs
October 27
(Thursday)
Metro: St. Vincent’s Health System –
Little Rock
SPRING 2012
April 9 (Monday)
Metro: Saline Memorial Hospital—Benton
April 10 (Tuesday)
Southeast: Chicot Memorial Hospital—Lake
Village
Southwest: Magnolia Regional Med. Center
April 11 (Wednesday)
Magnolia
April 16 (Monday)
Northwest: Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital –
Siloam Springs
April 17 (Tuesday)
Valley: Chambers Memorial – Danville
April 18 (Wednesday) North Central: Harris Hospital – Newport
April 19 (Thursday)
Northeast: SMC Regional Medical Center –
Osceola
April 23 (Monday)
Metro: Saline Memorial Hospital – Benton
April 24 (Tuesday)
Southeast: Chicot Memorial Hospital –
Lake Village
April 25 (Wednesday)
Southwest: Magnolia Regional Medical Center –
Magnolia
Vice President: Darlene Tuohy,
Mercy Medical Center, Bella
Vista
Secretary: Shirley Walters, St.
Edward Mercy Medical Center
Treasurer: Sharon Sly, Siloam
Springs Memorial Hospital
Newsletter Editor: Shirley Van
Horn, Washington Regional
Medical Center
Immediate Past President/
Advisor: Mary Frauenhoff,
Summit Medical Center
AHAA CONVENTION WORKSHOP
Newsletter Workshop
Newsletter editors are encouraged to
attend this workshop. The meeting
will be conducted by Nancy Robertson Cook, Director, Communications and Quality Services, AHAA.
Important new guidelines for submitting your articles for the AHAA
Newsletter will be discussed. In addition, if time allows, at the end of the
session you will have a chance to ask
questions about your local Auxiliary
State project items, jewelry and patches
will be on sale at Convention.
Come prepared to buy and save yourself
the shipping expense.
STATE PROJECTS Lynn Smith, President-Elect
WHALE
We Have A Little Emergency
HELP
Helmet Emergency Labeling Program
Medic Alert
Contact: Claudine Sherron email [email protected] or call 209.669.4475
Scholarship
If your Auxiliary has not established a scholarship fund, you can make donation to State Scholarship Fund to
participate.
Thank you for supporting AHAA State Projects. Please know that each project is equally important. I did promote Medic Alert at the Fall and Spring District Meetings, due to changes in the program. I am pleased to announce that from October to now ,we went from the initial eight pilot auxiliaries to twenty-seven auxiliaries
participating. If you have not enrolled, please contact Medic Alert TODAY. It is at no cost to you, Medic
Alert will issue your Auxiliary an account number and ship brochures to you for distribution. It could benefit
your Auxiliary as well as you, family, and friends. Representatives of Medic Alert (from California) are expected to attend AHAA Convention in October. We welcome them and any additional information they can
provide us. If you have questions, this will be a great opportunity to address them with Medic Alert.
For your convenience, WHALE and HELP supplies will be available to purchase at Convention. So come
prepared to buy, and save the cost of shipping and postage. Checks should be made payable to AHAA.
Thank you again for supporting our state projects.
In Loving Memory
Metropolitan:
St. Vincent’s: Rodney Worthington
Southwest:
Medical Center of South Arkansas: Myla Jackson
St. Joseph’s Health Center: George Billings, Rosemarie Nelson
Magnolia Regional Med. Center: Marvin Reaves
Ouachita County Medical Center: Lorraine Clay
Northeast:
Arkansas Methodist Medical Center: Shirley Walker, Norma Lack
Crittenden Regional Hospital: Geneva Taylor, Merrie F. Cheek
Lawrence Health Services: Rose Davis
NEA/Baptist: Naomi Blackwood
Piggot Community Hospital: Pat Wilson
Northwest:
Siloam Springs Hospital: Phyllis A. Thomas, Velma Heald, Martha “Bitsy” Stockton
Washington Regional Medical Center: Bob Hughey, Zorene Dearing
Valley:
St. Edwards Mercy Medical Center: Johnnie Owens
METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
Carol Trammel, District Chair
St. Vincent Morrilton
Work is continuing with Tammy Smith our Volunteer Coordinator in updating procedures for our volunteers in the different work areas. We have been helping to get
things together for the hospital's Ladies Night Out, "Body, Mind & Soul" event coming
up September 22nd. This is always
a fun filled evening. Gift Shop sales are holding steady despite the long hot summer.
We are blessed to add a new member to our group.
In a joint effort with our local VFW Post we will be selling T-Shirts in our Gift Shop to
depict 9-11 anniversary
Baptist Health Medical Center-North Little Rock
by Linda Scott Volunteer Coordinator
The volunteers serving in the Gift Shop have gone above and beyond in keeping everything
going due to the extended absence of the Gift Shop manager. Their exceptional “can do” attitude once again was evident. Thank you, ladies!
The 2011 STAR Volunteens have completed their seven weeks of service. Twenty-four Volunteens served in 17 areas of the hospital and gave 1636.50 hours of service.
The regular auxiliary meetings will begin September 1 after a much needed summer break.
The Officers Planning meeting was held to begin the enormous task of planning for the upcoming year. Several exceptional speakers have been chosen to present during the auxiliary
meetings.
The volunteers have new furniture in their work area in the volunteer office. It is a well deserved upgrade for the volunteers who utilize the area for the additional duties they perform.
The First Annual Baptist Health Birdie Bash Golf Tournament will take place September 12 at
Maumelle Country Club. The BHMC-NLR Auxiliary had held the tournament for the past sixteen years and has raised a great deal of money for the hospital. The Baptist Health Foundation and a committee of local business and civic leaders as well as doctors and Auxiliary members have taken over the organization and planning for the golf tournament that has always
been the largest fund raiser. All the proceeds from the Golf Tournament will go to purchase
needed equipment for Baptist Health Medical Center-NLR.
St. Vincent Morrilton
Work is continuing with Tammy Smith our Volunteer Coordinator in updating procedures for our volunteers in the different work areas. We have been helping to get
things together for the hospital's Ladies Night Out, "Body, Mind & Soul" event coming
up September 22nd. This is always a fun filled evening. Gift Shop sales are holding
steady despite the long hot summer.
We are blessed to add a new member to our group.
The Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Auxiliary
Halley Beard recently joined Janie Lowe, DVS and Susan Jones, Assistant DVS as the volunteer coordinator. Halley was most recently the volunteer coordinator for Easter Seals Arkansas. In her first month at the Cancer Institute she has been hard at work meeting all the volunteers and staff, updating volunteer files and conducting orientation for new volunteers .
The Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Auxiliary is hard at work on our fund-raiser,
Partners Card. For a 10 day period (October 28-November 6) card holders are able to shop at
over 160 stores and boutiques in the central and northwest Arkansas with a 20% discount. The
cards are $50 each and all proceeds from the sale are returned in the form of grants to enhance
services for cancer patients in Arkansas. For a complete listing of stores participating or to
purchase a card go to www.cancer.uams.edu/partnerscard.
New Volunteer Placements include the Ford Patient Pavilion where patients can find helpful
materials, relax, use a computer, read magazines and newspapers, take a nap or just hang out.
Volunteers assist patients with brochures and on the computer in finding the information they
need in relation to their diseases. They also assist patients with wigs and hats. Sometimes
you’ll find them working a jigsaw puzzle with a patient or just visiting with them. It is quickly
becoming a favorite placement.
Saline Memorial Hospital
We have started with our fall projects. The Christmas Wreaths Silent Auction is set for November. We have the Art Guild judging this year. I have yet to figure out the categories. We
hope this will be a lot of fun. We did so well last year that this year should be better now that
we know what we are doing.
I am very excited that we will have 4 members represent our Auxiliary at the Convention this
year. We will have a delegate and alternate to vote at the meeting. Carol will present the Gift
Shop with a learning session and information. We will also be in charge of the Silent Auction
so our presence will be known. I believe this year we will also come home with an award
(here’s hoping.)
As you may know, our flower case quit working and it was so old it couldn’t be fixed. We
have ordered a new one and Carol felt that we only needed one, half the size of the old one.
The auxiliary has agreed to pay for it unless I can talk the hospital into it. Either way it was
felt that we were losing revenue and patient’s families have been looking for flowers. So as a
service to our patients and families we will be getting a new flower case.
Till next time. Thanks for all you do.
NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT
Sharon Huffmire, District Chair
Baptist Health Medical Center - Heber Springs Auxiliary has been deep in preparations for
the upcoming October 14th Style Show. This annual event serves as the largest fundraiser for
the auxiliary as well as being one of largest events in the community. This year’s theme will be
“The Event of the Season” and will feature beautiful models from across the community. Special guests will be Dr. Ryan Buffalo (family practice), Dr. Steve Schoettle (general surgery),
and Arkansas State Representative Josh Johnston. Entertainment will be provided by the hospital’s trio “Heartfelt Praise”. Vice President Terri Lee is heading up the event this year with significant assistance from member Betty Andrews. Fashions will be from Dillard’s of North Little Rock, Stage of Heber Springs and The Jeweler’s Touch.
On July 12, July 28 and August 9th and 25th, the auxiliary assisted the community health nurse
with screenings and education at the community senior centers.
On July 15th the auxiliary hosted a blood drive partnership between the American Red Cross
and Baptist Health Medical Center – Heber Springs.
We look forward to September and some fun filled days with a bed sheet sale on September 8 th
and a blood drive on September 16th.
Baxter Regional Medical Center:
Greetings from Auxiliary President Jill Chandler
Some events that have happened at the hospital over the summer were…a birthday breakfast, held a Forum, the Auxiliary Board attended the Grand Opening of 2 West, given tours of 2 West the next week. Held
another BRMC 4 ME, Speakers were from the Surgery Department the topic being "What goes on while you
are sleeping". We just celebrated the Grand Re-Opening of the Flippin Bargain Box to celebrate the new
expansion of the building. Refreshments were served and we had a recruitment booth there as well as our
state projects brochures to hand out.
Just a reminder of a couple of things coming up in September…The Auxiliary Board will be hosting the
AHAA Fall District Meeting here at Baxter Regional Medical Center, September 21st is our Auxiliary
General Meeting "Get On Board" is our theme. On September 26th we will have another BRMC 4 ME
with special speakers from the Cardiac Department. And on the 29th another Birthday Breakfast is planned.
I urge all of you to come to the General Meeting and the BRMC 4 ME program. Both will give you insight
into what's happening here at BRMC. I don't know about you but I always want to stay informed about
things here at Baxter Regional Medical Center. When I'm informed I feel empowered with knowledge. I
like that. Which reminds me…for those of you on Medicare and for those who might just be interested in
knowing what's going on in the Arkansas State Legislature specifically on medical issues, I urge you to go
to http://www.arkhospitals.org/legislative site and from that site you can click on Votersvoice the direct
link to what is going on in the Legislature on Medicare and other health related issues and learn what's
happening with regards to medical issues that might be important to you. If you want to become more involved you may choose to get on their email list. Who knows, you may choose to have a voice and be heard.
You will have access to your state representative and senator contact information. The point is that you
have a voice and you can choose how much you may want to get involved or not. It's all up to you.
I have found that being informed or gaining knowledge is a very good thing indeed. I hope you feel the
same.
I look forward to seeing you at the General Meetings and at the BRMC 4 ME programs or just in the halls
around the hospital. You are important to the Auxiliary, the Auxiliary Board and especially to me.
Until then…be happy, be safe, be healthy and know that you are counted Blessed.
Northeast District
May “Pud” Thomas, District Chair
NEA BAPTIST MEMORIAL HOSPITAL- JONESBORO: Submitted by Dara Jett, Newsletter Editor. We have had quite an exciting summer so far. We have installed new officers for
2011 and everyone is very excited about getting our year kicked off. We have many ideas for
fundraisers thanks to all the ideas we received at the Spring District Meeting in April (which
we hosted.) Our organization really came together planning and preparing for the meeting in
April and we feel that the meeting was a success! (At least we had fun!) Thank you to all who
came. Look forward to seeing you all again soon.
We are very busy and excited about our new hospital that is being built now. Our projected
opening date is July 2013. After seeing the virtual DVD of the new hospital we can’t wait to
get in there and get started. It is going to be somewhat spectacular! We are getting new members weekly and are going to need so many more when we move into the new facility. There is
going to be 6 floors, with 180 beds initially, but with room to grow; the clinic will have five
floors and will house all specialty services. A state-of-the-art freestanding cancer center will
open at the same time. With all this space we are going to need roller skates to get around but
have put in a request for a pink golf cart! See you in October!
SMC Regional Medical Center- submitted by Pud Thomas, President.
Plans are being made for a new inclusive in-service program for the Osceola Hospital
Volunteers this fall. The materials are being compiled and will be presented by the
hospital's Human Resource Officer. Volunteers are making arrangements to attend the
State and Northeast District Fall meetings. We are excited to have two new members
joining our auxiliary.
St. Bernards Medical Center - Submitted by Dean Rossa, Newletter Editor
St Bernards Auxiliary presented $20,000 in scholarships to 10 students in the health
occupations field at the general meeting in June.
They have also made a $20,000 payment, meeting their yearly pledge, to Auxiliary
House rooms for cancer treatment patients.
Dana Housley and Barbara Keller have selected 25 of the 50 applicants for the junior
volunteer program that starts July 8.
A set of revised bylaws will be presented to the membership in a called meeting in
July.
Members are making plans to attend State Conventions in October.
NORTHWEST DISTRICT
Margaret Underwood, District Chair
Washington Regional Medical Center – submitted by Jimmie Barham Beauchamp, DVS
Auxiliary profits for June/July 2011:
Gift Shop
Balloons
Flowers
$4,909
2,114
1,936
The Auxiliary had a business meeting on July 28.
The program was dedicated to honoring the hours of service that the volunteers gave to Washington Regional
in 2010. We had 48 in attendance. Four volunteers received special recognition as they served over 1000 hours
in 2010 – Dick and Jennie Ourand, Becky McCool and Jimmie Call.
The Auxiliary hosted a Books Are Fun sale on August 14-16.
They will host an Art Sale on September 20 – 21. The volunteers will assist with a blood drive scheduled for
September 29th.
The Auxiliary made a $10,000 contribution to the Washington Regional Foundation. This money is for the
soon to be opened Willard Walker Hospice Home. The Auxiliary pledged $50,000 toward the campaign to
ST. JOHN’S AUXILIARY - BERRYVILLE (SJAB)
The family who matched the fund challenge by SJAB for hospital renovations has presented their final payment. SJAB presented our second check for $25, 000.00 which represents a total donation of $75,000.00 from
our challenge. The renovations will begin this fall.
Auxiliary volunteers will be assisting at the second Community Roundtable on Healthcare September 15th.
The H.E.L.P. program and helmet stickers will be available at the St. John’s Annual Family Fun Bike Ride on
September 24th.
Pies will be contributed by Auxiliary members for the Fall Community Gathering Sunday October 9th.
The first week of August President Anita Spearman and Thrift Store Chair Connie Lascano delivered fruit
goody baskets with Thank You cards to volunteers at the Thrift Store each working day of the week. The volunteers were pleased with the acknowledgment of the hard work they continue to do.
Jr. Past President Shelba Miller received a plaque from SJHB administration in appreciation for all she has accomplished through the auxiliary the past two years.
SJAB received a Thank You from Boone County Master Gardeners for the donation of small stuffed animals
for the Goody Bags provided at the state convention held in Harrison in June. It was reported that the stuffed
toys were the hit of the bags!
SJAB received a Third Place Ribbon at the 2011 Carroll County Fair for the informational booth featuring
MedicAlert.
A very busy October will include the state convention, fine jewelry sale on October18th and the Northwest
District Meeting which will be hosted October 19th by SJAB. We welcome all from our auxiliaries and urge
you to attend.
Northwest Medical Center – Bentonville
Submitted by Jan Dolan, Auxiliary Board Member
The Auxiliary Board held a Planning Retreat & Salad Luncheon at Linda Maienschein’s in
July to plan goals and activities for 2012. A “Bakeless Bake Sale” is being held for the
month of September. All funds collected will be matched by the Auxiliary Board and will
be donated to the Bentonville Public Schools for needy students. Upcoming events include a Scrub Sale October 18, Christmas Preview Sale November 9 and a Book Sale
December 19.
North Arkansas Regional Medical Center – Harrison: Submitted by Carol Evans Auxiliary President. *
Well it is mighty HOT out there; I hope everyone is staying as cool as possible. The
world keeps revolving and we are blessed each and every day. We now have a new
CEO, Mr. Vincent Leist and we were so happy to meet him at our last meeting. We are
still working on the addition to the Thrift Shop but it is coming along on schedule. We
have our rooms reserved and are signed up for State Convention and are looking forward to seeing everyone again. On July 23 we helped with The World’s Largest Baby
Fair which was held at the Durand Center. On August 26 Hospice House in Harrison had
their radiothon fundraiser and the Auxiliary voted to present them with $1,000. On
Sept 9-11 Harrison will host a Hot Air Balloon Festival. A uniform sale is scheduled for
September.
Since the last convention we have lost Floyd Spiers, Violet Magness, Sharon Knighton,
Margaret Blevins, Jane Reidmatten, Conward Allen and Maxine Anderson.
Northwest Medical Center – Springdale Submitted by Ginny McClain, Newsletter Editor.
Our volunteers donated money so that we could purchase Wal-Mart gift cards to send to the
Joplin tornado victims. Lesa Tucker, DVS, hosted a reception for our junior volunteers for their
service to the hospital this summer. The juniors provided a total of 1,486 hours in six weeks.
They were each presented with a certificate, a pin with number of hours served and a gift bag.
18 Junior Volunteers completed the program. Our auxiliary hosted a Gold X Change so anyone
who wanted to, could turn in broken or unwanted gold and silver and receive instant payment.
We are busy gearing up for our fall arts and crafts fair October 13, 14 and 15 th at the Jones
Center for Families where we will have 100 booths filled with only hand crafted items.
In September, we are having our Annual Fall Awards Luncheon and General Meeting where
Auxiliary members will be recognized for volunteer service hours plus years of service. Juanita
Boone will receive an award for 35 years of volunteer service to NMC-Springdale. We will
also present the following gifts to area non-profit organizations: Springdale Police Department
for Santa Cop $ 7,000, Lifeline of Northwest Arkansas $ 10,000, Rebuilding Together $
10,000, The Jones Center $13,262 and Circle of Life Hospice $ 21,000. We are proud to be
able to assist these organizations with proceeds from our Gift Shop, Thrift Shop, Guest House
and other sponsored events.
Mercy Medical Center – Submitted by Carolyn Scott
Mercy Medical Center Auxiliary has had a very busy summer. We're proud to announce that 14 co-worker
scholarships were awarded in partnership with our Mercy Foundation. In our effort to encourage interest in
the medical fields, our summer Volunteen Program grew to over 65 teens and college age students this summer. Our Volunteens were involved in almost all areas of our hospital and clinics.
Our Baby Caps/Knit & Stitch Volunteers were kept quite busy making items for over 130 newborns as well as
Prayer Shawls for some of the surgery patients and baby items for the Gift Shop. The Auxiliary also purchased
180 stuffed animals for children having surgery.
Upcoming projects include welcoming Bentonville High School special needs students back in the Fall to serve
in various departments (labs, emergency, surgery, linen services). Another project is the arrival of our second
Shuttle Car with room for six passengers. Our first Shuttle Car has proven to be quite a success. We are looking forward to the soon-to-begin renovation and expansion of our MMC Gift Shop and last but certainly not
least, we are in the process of purchasing technology equipment for our Pastoral Care Department which will
allow patients in our clinics to speak with Chaplains, off-site.
SOUTHEAST DISTRICT
Nedra White, District Chair
Jefferson Regional Medical Center - Submitted by Nedra White
JRMC recently awarded $1500.00 to our hospital Nursing Program. We also purchased a web cam as a result
of a patient whose husband was stationed in Afghanistan, while she was delivering their baby. The husband
was able to watch by skype. We recently completed a sale by Uniforms 2U2. It was a great success. More projects coming later. Thanks, Nedra White, JRMC Newsletter Chair
Delta Memorial Hospital
The Delta Memorial Hospital Auxiliary recently donated $1,000 to the clinical area of the hospital. William Kirk, Director of Nursing Services, stated that the funds will be used to purchase a locking storage
cabinet. The cabinet will store items to be used by the bereavement team during times of loss. Such
items as "memory boxes" and clothing items for stillbirths will be stored in the cabinet. It will also hold
clothing for indigent newborns and children up to age two. In addition, the cabinet will hold "happy
sacks" in a secure area until they are needed. Kirk also stated that the donation is an amount large
enough to share with the Delta Memorial Hospital Bereavement Committee thereby allowing it to provide a much needed humanitarian service without directly impacting the hospital financially.
SOUTHWEST DISTRICT
Jerry Berley, District Chair
Delta Memorial Hospital
The Delta Memorial Hospital Auxiliary recently donated $1,000 to the clinical area of the hospital. William Kirk, Director of Nursing Services, stated that the funds will be used to purchase a locking storage
cabinet. The cabinet will store items to be used by the bereavement team during times of loss. Such
items as "memory boxes" and clothing items for stillbirths will be stored in the cabinet. It will also hold
clothing for indigent newborns and children up to age two. In addition, the cabinet will hold "happy
sacks" in a secure area until they are needed. Kirk also stated that the donation is an amount large
enough to share with the Delta Memorial Hospital Bereavement Committee thereby allowing it to provide a much needed humanitarian service without directly impacting the hospital financially.
Jefferson Regional Medical Center - Submitted by Nedra White
JRMC recently awarded $1500.00 to our hospital Nursing Program. We also purchased a web cam as a result
of a patient whose husband was stationed in Afghanistan, while she was delivering their baby. The husband
was able to watch by skype. We recently completed a sale by Uniforms 2U2. It was a great success. More projects coming later. Thanks, Nedra White, JRMC Newsletter Chair
VALLEY DISTRICT
June Clabo, District Chair
Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center – Submitted by Evelyn Denton, Auxiliary President
August has been a busy month for some of our Auxilians at Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center. We
started the month off by helping Saint Mary's with their booth at our Russellville Chamber of Commerce
Business EXPO 2011 which was held on August 2. We assisted in taking blood pressures, handing
out health related brochures, inviting others to join our auxiliary, and helping with the booth set up.
Later that week our auxiliary hosted a jewelry and accessory sale by MASQUERADE. We raised $862.00
which will go into our Scholarship Fund. We provide $500.00 scholarships to qualified employees of
Saint Mary's who are either going into or furthering their education in the medical field. Proceeds from
our Gift Shop and used book sales also help fund the scholarships. We also started our Save-a-Label
Program which will benefit our WHALE program. August has signaled the end of our summer program
for Junior Volunteers since school resumed August 15. We have had a great group who has been helping
us since June. Many of our volunteers have taken a break this summer due to the extra help. We are
looking forward to seeing them back at their regularly scheduled time and place of volunteering. On September 12th we will be having our First Annual Volunteer Roundup Potluck. We are hoping all of our
auxilians return and invite someone who might be interested in joining us. Our President, Vice
President, District Secretary, and Legislative Chair will be attending the Valley District President's meeting in Clarksville on Friday, September 2. We are looking forward to a busy year filled with opportunities to serve Saint Mary's staff, employees, and patients.
Summit Medical Center – Submitted by Mamie Mann, President
July was a busy time for our Auxiliary. On July18th and 19th, we had a very successful scrub sale, thanks
in part to payroll deduction. On July 22ndand 23rd, we held a Garage sale, a first for us. It also was successful and it was decided to make it an annual event. At our August meeting we presented a $250 donation to the Sheriff’s Dept. to help with the LIFE SAVER PROGRAM, which furnishes tracking bracelets for
People with Alzheimer’s or children who are Autistic. On July 28th, Summit's Nurse Educator presented
an in-service to the Auxiliary on the Hospital's AIDET program. The purpose of this program is to promote good customer service and patient satisfaction.
A Nurse Educator has been hired to do the educational training for the Susan G. Komen Program she and
the Hospital PR Director have been making visits to the outlying communities to promote the Program,
which is to provide free mammograms to those who are uninsured or underinsured.
Upcoming events for September start with attending the President's Meeting in Clarksville on Sept.2nd.
On Sept. 9th Auxiliary members are invited to attend the Hospital's End of Summer cookout. A fun time!
Sept.12-17 members will be assisting at the Hospital Booth at the Crawford County Fair in Mulberry in
handing out informative brochures. Sept. 19th we will have a Book Fair by "Books Are Fun". Sept. 24th
Auxiliary members will participate in the Susan G. Komen "Paint the Park Pink “at the campus of the
University Of Arkansas Ft. Smith.
Plans are being made to host the Fall District Meeting. This will be held in the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. Hope to see you all there..
St. Edwards Mercy Medical Center - Submitted by Shirley Walters
Our year begins in July and we begin slow until September and then go with full steam ahead. Our September is packed with activities and events. . We started off in July though with our first fundraiser, a
wonderful book sale. The employees and friends enjoyed a variety of books and Christmas items. August
we had our board retreat where we heard about some of the changes occurring in the Mercy system. We
talked about the year ahead and some of the things that we hope to accomplish. We began our meetings
preparing for the Dinner Dance Gala, which will be Dec. 2nd at the Phoenix Expo Center. Funds from the
event will go to help purchase a new linear accelerator for our Hembree Cancer Center Radiology Dept.
We invite everyone to attend this fun event which will be entitled "Its Christmas", going back to the
Christmas Gala theme. We are trying to get auction items for the silent and live auction. Any ideas are
welcome. Our first event in September will be the Festival on the Border, which will be the area music
festival on Sept 8-10th. Our Helping Hands for Children will be one of the beneficiaries of this event.
Johnson Regional Medical Center – Submitted by Dorothy Spencer
JOHNSON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER AUXILIARY adopted one new member at their
August meeting. They also presented two $2,000 scholarships to employees
wishing to continue their education in the medical field. They donated
$65.00 to their Discharge Nurse Tiny Lira's medical fund. Tiny buys one
months medicine for indigent patients from this fund. They participated in
"National Night Out" sponsored by the Police and Sheriff's. On the 22nd
of September they will take part in an "apple A Day" health fair sponsored
by the Hospital's Senior Care Department. On the 23rd. they will have a
Uniform Sale.
Sparks Health System - Michelle Pike, CAVS
In May we hired a new gift shop manager, Sherri Fant and assistant manager, Linda Wallman. The ladies have
been to market and reorganized our shop. Merchandise is flying off the shelves! This summer 35 Teens
from 10 local schools spent their summer volunteering in 22 Departments within the health system.
The students provided 3,865 hours of service. Sparks and AHEC joined forces to host the MASH
Program.
Our Charity, Making A Difference One Kid At a Time allowed each third grader from Sutton Elementary School in Fort Smith to step into summer in style; providing each student a new pair of sneakers! Making A Difference was founded to help battle the childhood obesity epidemic.
July 30th found us kicking off construction for our new surgical suites. The 44,000 square foot
renovation will further enhance the care of our patients and provide nurses, physicians
and staff with the best available technology and equipment. The center will feature ten
large, state-of-the-art “Smart” operating rooms with surgical equipment accessible via
booms hanging from the ceiling, eliminating wires and cables on floors. In addition, patient information, including radiological images and/or video, will be available to surgeons on large digital monitors in each operating room. The $17 million project is
scheduled to be completed in spring 2012.
It has been a busy summer and we are looking forward to an even busier fall!
Editorial
By Shirley VanHorn
First I would to apologize if I missed any of your articles that you sent to be in the newsletter, I was totally
overwhelmed with the amount of work that went into this project. I do think I have a better handle on it now
and will promise to have a better newsletter for all of you hard working men and women out there who so selfishly donate the many hours that you do for your community. I am not a very wordy person so do not expect a
large or if any editorial with each newsletter.
Newsletter Schedule/Reminder
ISSUE PERIOD
2011 CUTOFF DATE
Nov/Dec
Nov 5th
Activities for September and Upcoming
activities for October
Jan/Feb
Jan 5th
Activities for November and Upcoming
activities for February
Mar/Apr
Mar 1st
Activities for January and Upcoming activities for March
STRICT!!!!
COVERED ACTIVITIES
It is highly appreciated if submissions are made electronically via email to ([email protected]) either in the body of the email or as a Microsoft Word attachment. But, if you absolutely must submit via snailmail, please mail early so that I receive it by the cut-off date. Photos using the .jpg extension may also be submitted – just let me know what event it goes with and, if appropriate, identify those in the photo. Please do not
send photos that you have scanned from a newspaper…these are too blurry to publish. – Thank you!