Between Us - Torrance Memorial Medical Center

Torrance Memorial Medical Center
Auxiliary
Between Us
May 2016
Vol. 63
Issue 5
President’s Message 2016
First of all, I want to thank Torrance Memorial Medical Center's Administration, Foundation,
Physicians, Nurses and all of the Units/Departments that provided the kind thoughts and words
to all of the volunteers in last month's newsletter celebrating National Volunteer Appreciation
Week. It is very important to acknowledge and thank our Director, Mary Matson, and her
amazing staff, Marcela Agudelo, Debbie Hight, Chris Rama, Erica Valle and Ruth Velasco for
their leadership of our entire volunteer family. The Adult volunteers, the student volunteers, the
Luminaries, the Novas, the Holiday Festival volunteers and Las Amigas and the bereavement
and Hospice volunteers all make up our family. We all love to smile, laugh and communicate
David Sato
throughout the campus, helping patients, visitors and the staff doing what needs to be done at the
Medical Center. In return, we are showered with thoughts, words and goodies of appreciation during
National Volunteer Week. We are so honored to be part of the larger Torrance Memorial Medical Center
family under the leadership of Craig Leach, Sally Eberhard, and other members of Administration as they
lead us on to the future of providing the best healthcare for the entire South Bay community.
Thank you very much, Torrance Memorial Medical Center.
We have a busy May for Special events: Thursday, May 19 is the Auxiliary trip to the Reagan Presidential Library,
featuring "A Journey through Faith and Art" of the Vatican Splendors Exhibition. Also on Wednesday, May 25, we
have a fundraiser at Chili's restaurant where you can have lunch, dinner or both and for take out also.
Have an enjoyable month of May.
David Sato
Save the Date
Chili’s Restaurant Fundraiser
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Old Torrance Walking Tour
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Diana Ross at the Hollywood Bowl
Saturday, July 16, 2016
8:00 p.m.
$55.00 per person
(includes event ticket, seat cushion and round trip bus transportation from Wilson Park)
Sign-up by Friday, June 1, 2016. Unfortunately, no refunds after this date.
Should you have questions to either the Reagan Presidential Library Tour or the evening at the Hollywood Bowl,
contact Stuart Wilson at (310) 791-9772 or by e-mail [email protected]
Flyers to all of the events referenced above are available at the Volunteer sign-in kiosks, Volunteer Services
office and Escort Services.
From the Director’s Desk
Mary Matson
Congratulations to all volunteers who received a new white hours pin issued at the
annual Volunteer Recognition Brunch on April 16. These pins reflect volunteer hours
through 12/31/2015. Mimi Brody was recognized for 26, 200 hours, Della Weinhuff for
27,000 hours, and Alice Young for 30,700 hours. Congratulations are also extended to
those volunteers who received a service award based on years of service. It was quite
impressive to see the display of longevity at the Brunch including our highest award
recipients: Alice Young for 30 years, Karla Masten for 35 years, and Laurie Anderson
and Della Weinhuff for 40 years of service. We extend our deepest appreciation and
sincere congratulations to all awardees!
Mary
Mimi Brody receives her 26,200 hour pin
from CEO Craig Leach
Mary Matson
Laurie Anderson, Alice Young, CEO Craig
Leach, and Karla Masten celebrate many
years of volunteer service.
In Memory
Marshea Jefferson
We were sad to learn of the passing of HealthLinks volunteer Marshea Jefferson in
March. Marshea began volunteering in June, 2015. Our condolences are extended to her
family and friends.
Dorothy Newkirk
Long-time volunteer Dorothy Newkirk passed away in April after a lengthy illness.
Dorothy was the Escort Services Co-Chairperson on Friday afternoons. He husband Jim
also volunteered in Escort before he passed away in 2007. Loving sympathy is extended
to Dorothy’s four children and her many friends in the volunteer program.
****Our deepest condolence to Margaret Majid on the passing of her beloved husband.
Margaret is a volunteer in HealthLinks.
Page 3
Between Us
Up Close and Personal with your Auxiliary Board member
by Tracy Isenberg, Auxiliary Public Relations Chairperson
Dennis Frandsen
Started:
1986
Board Position:
Parliamentarian
Volunteer Position: Escort Services
Dennis Frandsen, Torrance Memorial Medical Center’s (“TMMC”) new Auxiliary board
member, first began volunteering in 1986. Dennis tagged along with his wife Jeannine
while she helped a friend decorate a tree for the Holiday Festival (“Festival”) event
orchestrated by the Las Amigas group. In those days, the Festival was called “Festival of
the Trees” and was held at Wilson Park in Torrance.
As Dennis spent time in the tent observing women hustling and bustling dragging electrical cords to light up
the trees and dragging buckets of water to keep the trees hydrated, he recognized their need for a strong able
man. Dennis morphed into a Festival volunteer, responsible for the tree layout. From this humble beginning
Dennis became the facilities chair, which anointed him responsible for organizing logistical arrangements for
the entire Festival. As the facilities chair, Dennis not only answered all questions related to the Festival, but
also created the electrical wiring for the trees and constructed the sign stands, which hold the tree descriptions
and bid sheets. All of these materials are still utilized during the current Festival. Las Amigas recognized
Dennis’s hard work and anointed him as a life member. After dedicating 23 years and over 300 hours every
year to the Festival, not surprisingly, Dennis was getting tired and desired a change.
Dennis’ taste for volunteering did not subside. He eventually began as a TMMC “blue jacket” volunteer in
February 2010, in Escort Services, and has been there every Thursday ever since. Dennis enjoys training the
new volunteers and observing them gain confidence as they learn their way around the maze of doors and
departments. Dennis, however, cautions novice volunteers that “once you think you know where everything
is, it will be moved.” Dennis and Jeannine are avid nautical travelers of the high seas. The Frandsen’s
international voyages included sailing the Bering Sea from Osaka, Japan to San Francisco; journeyed across
the Tasman Sea in between New Zealand and Australia; cruised the ocean throughout the Caribbean Islands;
and navigated the exotic Mediterranean Sea from Greece, its neighboring isles on the way to Turkey. Their
domestic adventures include twice cruising the Gulf of Mexico to and from Florida, via the Panama Canal;
several sailing trips up and down the Pacific Ocean, along the California coast, which also included trips down
to Mexico; and navigated the Pacific Ocean between the tropical Hawaiian Islands. Alaska was the Frandsens’
first cruise and their most adored, and they even managed to take a three-month road trip to Alaska.
The Frandsens balance their oceanic excursions with mainland adventures with the Camino Campers, an
organization started at El Camino College that focuses on local trips, 100 miles or less from the college. The
Camino Campers set out once a month, on a three-night, long weekend road trip, enjoying the vast California
topography. The Camino Campers rotate hosts for their events, which often times includes a Saturday night
potluck dinner.
Dennis’ professional life involved working for the Torrance Police department for 28 years and retired as a
Lieutenant in 1993. The Frandsens are blessed with four children, David, Jill, Carrie and Diane, along with
five, college-student grandchildren, Michael, Heather, Abhi, Nokas and Iris. Along with keeping busy with his
travels and family, Dennis enjoys restoring his 1957 Chevrolet and 1967 Chevrolet El Camino. Dennis winds
down with reading. Lisa Randall’s, “Dark Matter and the Dinosaurs” was his recently read book.
Page 4
Between Us
North Wing Gift Shop Closure
From the Gift Shops
st
On March 31 we celebrated the North Wing gift
shop by having Mimi Brody and Della Weinhuff
close up and set the alarm one last time. Both Mimi
and Della (along with Alice Young and many who
came before) were instrumental in the success of the
original gift shop.
If a lovely sweater or blouse is on your shopping list
for Mothers’ Day, stop by our very own gift shop to
choose from the fabulous items chosen by Vanina
Angeloni, our Apparel and Jewelry buyer. She will
also be glad to help you find just the right piece of
jewelry to go with the outfit you choose.
Irene Almanza, our fabulous Fragrance buyer, has
stocked a wide selection of colognes for that special
mom. If you don’t see the special scent you are
looking for, ask Irene and she will try to order it for
you.
Cards, See’s Candy and even Gift Certificates are also
available for Mother’s Day!
Support the Auxiliary – shop in our shop! All profits
are donated to Torrance Memorial.
Our Pet Visitation Volunteers on the Job
Our Volunteer Pet Visitation program has expanded
its route to include periodic visits at the Polak
Imaging and Breast Diagnostic Center building on
Skypark Drive. Some of our pet visitation teams are
stopping by before or after their hospital visitation
to round through the lobbies and also visit staff.
We know that staff members benefit from these
heartwarming visits as much as the patients and
visitors. We extend our appreciation to our
wonderful pet visitation teams and to co-chairperson
Pat Carlson for piloting this program for us.
Gift Shop Co-Chairs
Tina Trudnowski and Gail Long
Hospital Services – March 2016
Margaret Johnston
Vice-President of Hospital Services
Volunteer Hours: 13,428.08
Bingo: 5 Sessions with 876 Participants
Pet Visitation: 22 Visits and 107.64 Visitation Hours
Knitting Group: 24 Items
Sewing Group: 53 Items
At a recent visit, volunteer Judy Fisher took this
photograph of Sassy, one of our pet visitation
volunteers, saying “hello” and making a new friend
with a permanent (ceramic) resident at the Polak
Imaging and Breast Diagnostic Center.
Page 5
Between Us
May Birthdays
The following Auxiliary members have birthdays in May. Active volunteers receive a
one-time 20% discount on your entire purchase in the Gift Shop in honor of your birthday,
courtesy of the Gift Shop. You also get “double hours” when you volunteer on your
birthday! Be sure to write “Birthday Hours” on the time sheet. If you have a birthday in May
and do not see your name listed below, please contact the Volunteer Services department.
May
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
7
7
9
9
9
9
Robert Chiota
* Cynthia Underberger
RoseAnn Imbro
Kip Riggins
Becky Braun
* Phyllis Carlson
Sandra Essey-Gray
* Marge Schugt
Kimberley Chavelle
* Sherry Seitz
Ana Rodriguez
Iona Matson
* Lucy Kimball
* Paul Avery
Laurie Szogas
Julia Scholten
* Tracy Lazarus
Barbara Funt
9
12
12
13
13
13
13
15
15
15
16
17
17
17
18
18
18
18
Judy Frederiksen
Cindy Villegas
Lisa Schulz
* Terri Blevins-Lewis
Linda Zelik
* Lupe Suasnavas
Vera Little
Donna Helstrom
Ayda Karakas
* Dolly Pham
* Delores Strong
* Marilyn Malmuth
Alex Wright
* BJ Chamberlain
* James Cale
Joseph Gerber
* Treva Merritt
Ruby Weiss
19
19
19
19
19
19
21
21
21
22
22
22
23
23
24
25
25
25
Ifeanyichukwu Ajufoh
* Pat Tambini
Anne Nelson
* Jo Whitcombe
Connie Weintraub
* Lida Asgari
Susan Leong
* Helen Hong
Barbara Baker
* Patti Neureither
* Laurie Honig
Sheldon Canter
Veon Filak
Julie Nourayi
Carol Cotter
* Lily Tan
Diane Vaughn
Berenice Parham
25
26
27
27
27
28
28
28
29
29
29
30
31
31
31
31
* Eva Gedminas
Jo Ann Ross
Tiya Choi
* Mel Steinberg
Joanne Choi
Maggie Reid
Sarah Hensley
Candice Matsui
William Lee
Darol Draggoo
Rosa Garcia-Lockwood
Sallie Josephson
Barbara Nagamoto
Orah Mae Millar
Sherri Badillo
Mae O'Reilly
*Inactive Volunteers
Thank you
Dear David Sato on Behalf of the Auxiliary,
As Campaign Co-Chairs for the Torrance Memorial Medical Center, we would like to acknowledge and thank
you for your leadership gift of $262,000 received in December 2015, directed to benefit the programs and
services offered at Torrance Memorial Medical Center.
Your foresighted commitment to Torrance Memorial Medical Center ensures it will be here for many decades
to come – we can think of no better gift you could offer to future generations.
Your dedication to Torrance Memorial and commitment of excellence in healthcare in the South Bay are
extremely meaningful, as you inspire our finest efforts as well as encourage others to follow your lead. We
are most grateful.
How wonderfully supportive the auxiliary is of TMMC.
With warmest regards and appreciation,
Melanie and Richard Lundquist
Campaign Co-Chairs
Page 6
Between Us
Upcoming Auxiliary June 2016
General Meeting and Luncheon
Did you ever want to learn how to paint? Well,
the Auxiliary’s June luncheon will give you the
opportunity to put your creative juices to work! Our
June luncheon will be a buffet lunch and painting
party. Rosemary Brandes of Destination Art will be
our instructor and will show us step-by-step how to
paint a pre-selected picture that she will bring. All
material will be provided. The cost of the luncheon is
$15.00. If you choose to paint, there is a $35.00
additional charge. As usual, reservations must be
made in advance. For further details, refer to your
May newsletter. If you have any questions, you are
welcome to e-mail Valerie Punzal, at
[email protected], if you have any questions.
Valerie Punzal
Program Chairperson
Auxiliary Board Member of Special Events, Valerie
Punzal and her daughter, Jessica display their works
of art from a prior painting party.
Patrice Cullen, Auxiliary Board Member of Membership,
along with her friends and family members pose with
their masterpieces.
Kings Hawaiian Bakery & Restaurant and
The Local Place Bakery & Café Fundraiser
Throughout the day, on Wednesday, March 30th,
Torrance Memorial Medical Center (“TMMC”)
volunteers and their family, friends and community
members came out to dine and support the TMMC’s
Auxiliary fundraiser at the Kings Hawaiian Bakery
& Restaurant and its sister restaurant The Local Place
Bakery & Cafe, both located in Torrance. Their
famous Hawaiian fried chicken; delicious ramen
salad; and to-die-for Paradise cake were absolutely
scrumptious. Thank you to everyone who came
out to support the Auxiliary.
Valerie Punzal
Program Chairperson
Page 7
Between Us
Annual Trip to Pechanga Casino
It was a beautiful winter day (80 degrees) in Southern California for our annual trip to Pechanga Casino in
Temecula on February 23rd. Forty-six Auxiliary members and guests were eager to invest, and they did too!
This yearly trip is always a popular getaway for the volunteers. Needless to say, it was a success and
everyone had a good time. Thanks to all who participated.
Spring Auxiliary General Meeting and Luncheon
By Valerie Punzal, Program Chairperson
The Volunteer Auxiliary celebrated spring with its general meeting and luncheon held on Wednesday, March
23, 2016, in the Health Conference Center. The tables were beautifully decorated with an assortment of spring
Gerber daisies, white tablecloths and green napkins. The beautifully plated and delicious lunch consisted of
a kalamata olive spread with flatbread crackers, quiche with brie cheese, bell pepper and asparagus, grilled
chicken and basil sausage and for dessert, banana fosters crepes. Betty Broughton set up the beautiful tables
and Charles and Judy Colianni oversaw the wine table. Local South Bay acoustic guitarist and vocalist, Scott
Grillo, entertained us all with familiar popular folk, classic rock and country western tunes from the 60s and
70s.
Auxiliary
3330 Lomita Blvd., Torrance, CA 90505
Return Service Requested
May 2016
SUN
MON
1
TUE
2
WED
THURS
3
FRI
5
6
7
13
14
20
19
Reagan Presidential
Clown Mtg: 9:30 a.m.
Library Bus Trip
WT-C
9:30 a.m.
21
4
Bingo 2 p.m. - Media Svcs
8
9
10
11
Bingo 2 p.m. - Media Svcs
17
18
Auxiliary Board Mtg;
9 :30 a.m., WT-Rm D
15
16
Bingo 2 p.m. - Media Svcs
SAT
Sewing, 9 a.m. , HCC 4
12
Luminaries New
Member Meeting
6 p.m., HCC 1
22
23
24
25
Bingo 2 p.m. - Media Svcs
Chili’s Fundraiser,
11 a.m.
29
30
31
Newsletter
copying
26
27
Sewing, 9 a.m. , HCC 4
28