For more information, call 322-4577 or visit kchauxiliary.org.
SPECIAL TO WEST HAWAII TODAY
The Kona Community Hospital Auxiliary met Jan. 9 for its annual general membership meeting featuring guest speaker Sen. Josh Green, D-North and South Kohala, North and South Kona. It drew a crowd of 60 attendees.
As the current Health Committee chairman and emergency physician at Kohala Hospital, Green discussed today’s health care climate, as well as the key bills in the new legislative session. He also talked about the challenges and opportunities rural health facilities face.
Joy Nelson, volunteer hours chairwoman and past-president, presented volunteer pins to those who met milestone volunteer hours. Kathy Golitzen, who knits newborn baby hats for the obstetrics department, was the volunteer with the most hours at 1,112. In 2011, the total number of volunteer hours provided by the auxiliary was 8,652, which equates to a contribution of $184,807 in services.
The newly elected 2012 auxiliary officers are President Mary Quinn, Vice President Pat Fornatano, Recording Secretary Beverly Page, Corresponding Secretary Phyllis Hanson, Treasurer David Clarke and Directors Christine Hoffman, JoDee Humme, Roger Knoblauch, Jean Leitch, Lorraine Miller and Joy Nelson. The Volunteer of the Year Award was given to both Ralph Jackson and Golitzen.
With 52 active volunteers, the auxiliary is the largest volunteer organization at the hospital. There are numerous volunteer opportunities such as helping in the infusion center to assisting in office work. They coordinate the recycling program, gift shop, Friday bake sale and more. Funds go toward hospital activities and nursing scholarships.
For more information, call 322-4577 or visit kchauxiliary.org.