Auxiliary plays vital role at Hospital

Clarke County Hospital plays a significant role in our community by providing excellent health care to South Central Iowa residents. For many of those receiving care, they grow to know our staff by name whether they work on the nursing floor, diagnostic imaging, lab, physical therapy, billing, surgery, registration or outpatient clinics. It is because of these dedicated employees’ efforts that our community has grown to depend on our organization.

However, I want to take this time to recognize another dedicated group who also play a vital role at Clarke County Hospital – our volunteers. I attended the Clarke County Hospital Auxiliary’s recognition meeting last week, and must commend this wonderful group of people for their continued support and passion for CCH. 

The Auxiliary boasts nearly 90 members. I left last week’s meeting with an enormous sense of pride as I watched volunteer after volunteer receive recognition for the hours they contribute at CCH. Many of the people donated hundreds of hours working as hosts in the registration lobby near the first floor entrance. They worked in the gift shop, assisted our staff with activities in Extend Care, sponsored three blood drives or volunteered as Pink Ladies on the patient floor. Through all their efforts 41 volunteers donated nearly 5,100 hours in 2008 at Clarke County Hospital. What an amazing dedication to our friends, neighbors and family members who receive care at CCH.

There are also behind-the-scene efforts that make a significant difference in the care we provide at the hospital.

The Auxiliary continues to donate stuffed animals for children being treated in the emergency department or spending a night or two at the hospital.  The group also provides health care scholarships annually to area residents by working with the hospital on an annual golf outing, which is scheduled for June 26 at the Osceola Country Club.

Another area in which the Auxiliary plays an important role at the hospital is through its generous donations. With its $3 membership dues and proceeds from the gift shop, the Auxiliary donates nearly $10,000 annually to CCH to go toward the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment. In 2008, that donation was $11,000.