Thomas Hospital Auxiliary hosts 61st annual meeting

The Thomas Hospital Auxiliary held its 61st annual meeting on September 21, where members heard a hospital update from Thomas Hospital President Ormand Thompson, received service pins for their service hours and presented a $45,000 donation to the Thomas Hospital Foundation. Additionally, new board members and officers of the Thomas Hospital Auxiliary were elected and installed.

The Thomas Hospital Auxiliary, a member of the Alabama Hospital Association’s Alabama Council of Hospital Auxiliaries (ACHA), has 435 members and is one of the largest hospital auxiliaries in the state.

The generous donation will help fund the renovation and expansion of the Thomas Hospital Cath Lab. “We so appreciate our Auxiliary’s support,” said Nathan Payne, Thomas Hospital Foundation Director. “Not only do our volunteers provide valuable hours of their time, they give generously to our Foundation to ensure we have a state-of-the-art facility for our community.”

The Thomas Hospital Auxiliary raises funds through the Thomas Hospital Gift Shop and other fundraising events, such as jewelry, linen and uniform sales, throughout the year. The Auxiliary has donated a total of almost $2 million to the Thomas Hospital Foundation.

The Thomas Hospital Auxiliary named Jeanie Adams as Volunteer of the Quarter for the fourth quarter of 2023. Since Jeanie joined the Auxiliary four years ago, she has volunteered more than 500 hours. Jeanie volunteers as an endoscopy escort, where volunteers walk up to five miles during their four-hour shifts. In addition to her weekly shift, Jeanie’s fellow volunteers appreciate her flexibility and willingness to switch shifts or substitute. She trains new volunteers, is always on time and is willing to stay longer when needed. The endoscopy staff greatly appreciate the help Jeanie provides to them, patients and visitors.

Auxiliary members who received years of service pins included:
5-YEAR PINS
Debbie Leidheiser, Linda Veren, Steve Hill, Becky Mayr and Connie Zubler, JoAnn Bollent and Rachel Hosey.

10-YEAR PINS
Vivi Brown, Kirksey McIntosh, Amalia Rodriguez, Vito Cusumano and Dan Fusco.

15-YEAR PIN
Roberta Olmsted

20-YEAR PIN
Barbara Nutini

35-YEAR PIN
Em Johnson

BOARD MEMBERS
Auxiliary board members Pat McIntosh, Linda Veren, Debbie George, Elnora Jackson and Maria Gwynn were installed and presented with pins. 

OFFICERS
Auxiliary officers Treasurer Lisa Timmons, President Linda Veren, Vice President Debbie George and Secretary Pam Allen were installed and presented with pins.

Thomas Hospital Auxiliary members make nominations for Volunteer of the Quarter, with forms available in the Thomas Hospital Auxiliary office and Thomas Medical Center information desk. For information about becoming a volunteer at Thomas Hospital or Thomas Medical Center, please contact Melita Willkie at 251-279-5525 or melita.willkie@infirmaryhealth.org.