Kincardine hospital auxiliary installs new executive, donates $30,000 to hospital

The South Bruce Grey Health Centre - Kincardine hospital auxiliary held its Christmas meeting, Wednesday, at the Best Western Plus Governor's Inn, with a delicious traditional Christmas lunch buffet.

There was a great turn-out of members and gift shop volunteers, along with special guests: Paul Rosebush, president and chief executive officer of the health centre; Becky Fair, president of the Kincardine and Community Health Care Foundation; and Ollie Regier and Lynn Bos, department supervisors at the Kincardine hospital.

The quilt draw took place at Noon, with Rosebush drawing the winning tickets. The winner of the afghan was Sherry Pollock, while the “Bear Trails” quilt, donated by the Kincardine Sunset Quilters’ Guild, was won by Greg Collins.

A cheque for $2,850 was presented to Fair who said she couldn’t thank the auxiliary enough. She noted the auxiliary’s passion for health care, and said the foundation truly appreciates the auxiliary's help.

The auxiliary had many fund-raising projects this year and thanks to the outstanding community support, was able to present a cheque for $30,000 to the foundation to purchase the following equipment for the hospital: four additional IV pumps – $17,728, a Vital Signs Monitor – $8,110, and a Pharmacy Department Fridge – $5,095.

During the meeting, it was discussed and approved that the auxiliary would buy these additional items: a Mammography chair to be used by the Ontario Breast Screening Dept – $1,725. and two wide-based, heavier IV poles to be used with the new IV pumps – $500.

Rosebush remarked on the amazing vitality and work ethics of the auxiliary volunteers, with their time and efforts to make sure the Kincardine hospital has up-to-date equipment and technology available for their friends and colleagues who live in this community. He also announced that a new location for the gift shop has been approved. 

He thanked president Carol Collins and immediate past-president Ginny Ross for their on-going and open communications between the auxiliary and the health centre.

Regier thanked the auxiliary and said it is making a real difference for both the staff and patients.

Bos noted that the auxiliary is helping to make the staff very happy by providing some treats and a great place to shop, as well as the much-needed equipment. She said one nurse was excited to hear about the new Vital Signs monitor, adding that the auxiliary is making the patients' lives better and more comfortable too.

Collins conducted the business part of the meeting with the various committees giving their reports. The Christmas Tour of Homes was a great success as was the Boutique. Thank you to Sylvia Abbot , Nancy Potter and Tracy Robinson for their hard work on these projects, as well as the many volunteers involved.

Ross and Pat Emmerton gave a quick talk on the Hospital Auxiliaries Association of Ontario (HAAO) convention and encouraged everyone to attend. Collins then reminded everyone about the spring conference being held in Kincardine in May, 2017, with Judy Lackner heading up the committee.

Donna Mowry conducted the ceremonial installation of the following executive officers for 2017, and gave each of them a beautiful white carnation: president Carol Collins, past-president Ginny Ross, 1st vice-president Judy Lackner, 2nd vice-president Pat Emmerton, secretary Betty Johnstone, treasurer Wilma Manary, and press reporter Liz Nurton.