2007 was 'golden year' for St. Luke Auxiliary years ago
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
According to a report issued to members at the annual St. Luke Hospital Auxiliary banquet Thursday evening, 2007 was a banner year.
The auxiliary received the Gold Award from the hospital auxiliaries of Kansas. It is believed to be the first such award the group has received in its 37 years of existence.
In addition, the downtown auxiliary shop reportedly was a "whopping success," bringing in a net profit of $28,331.75.
With money raised from the shop, the hospital gift case, Old Settlers' Day pies, and donations, the auxiliary provided the following: $1,000 to the living center for bus maintenance and gas, a big screen TV and console for the living center, new chairs for the living center dining room, new patient dishes for the hospital, a copier for the shop, a Ca530 analyzer for the hospital lab, an increase in scholarships from one to three, and a huge basket of chocolates for all the St. Luke staff members on Valentine's Day.
The "most memorable event" occurred Sept. 7 when lemonade and cookies were served to Iraq veterans and their families who arrived in Marion on the Union Pacific anniversary steam engine train.
According to the treasurer's report, from 1973-2007, the auxiliary has funded projects totaling $129,455.08.
Volunteers worked a total of 12,724 hours in 2007, an increase of 3,130 hours from the previous year.
St. Luke Hospital CEO Jeremy Armstrong praised the auxiliary for its support, not only financially, but also as ambassadors for the hospital district.
Armstrong said the nature of health care at St. Luke Hospital is changing, with more outpatient than inpatient services being provided. He said residents at St. Luke Living Center are being given more choices in food and daily schedules.
He noted the attending surgeon at the hospital is being kept busy, and surgeries may be extended to two days a week from the current one day.
Armstrong said the new clinic housed in the renovated former Prairie View building is drawing in new patients. A new system allows people to call in anytime to make appointments at the clinic. In off hours, their calls automatically are transferred to the nurses' station at the hospital, where an appointment can be made.
Judy Reno was installed as auxiliary president for the fourth year. Other 2008 officers installed were: vice president, Elora Robinson; secretary, Margaret Tice; and treasurer, Eileen Sieger.
