Winchester Medical Center Auxiliary 1902 2017 1
Celebrating 115 Years of Service 3
One hundred fifteen years ago, on Thursday, November 6, 1902, 100 ladies representing every branch of local religious belief and charity assembled in the Rouss Engine Room and formally effected the organization of the Ladies Auxiliary Board of Winchester Memorial Hospital. The meeting has been looked forward to with interest as the completion of the new hospital building and the formal opening now approaching so near made the early formation of the Auxiliary imperative (The Winchester Star). Dr. H.H. McGuire, president of the hospital board, called the meeting to order. The constitution and bylaws were read and adopted and the election of officers took place. The meetings were held at the hospital on the second Tuesday of each month. The object of the Auxiliary was to devise and further ways and means for the support of the hospital. From time to time, entertainments would be held and other functions given to raise money for the hospital. A pound party was planned for the night of the hospital s formal opening to stock the hospital larder. This was an exciting and long-awaited event since the seeds for this organization had been planted in 1900 when the planning for Winchester Memorial Hospital began under the leadership of Dr. William P. McGuire. In the spring of 1901, a group of women of the community had planned a rummage sale and discussed sites for a charity ball to assist with fundraising efforts. On December 4, 1903, a joint meeting of the Ladies Auxiliary and the Executive Committee of the hospital marked the close of the first year of the Auxiliary. Dr. Love, on behalf of the executive committee of the hospital, thanked the women for the very efficient and conscientious service they had rendered the institution and the interest they had manifested in its welfare. Since its organization to the present time, the Ladies Auxiliary has been an indispensable aid to the hospital and its work has been exceedingly gratifying to the official body of the institution. Through the efforts of these women every room and ward in the hospital have been beautifully furnished and other things too numerous to mention have been provided for the comfort of the patients and nurses. In addition to this, pound parties have been held throughout the year at which time the storerooms of the hospital have been beautifully supplied with provisions. The women of Winchester have always been noted for their many acts of charity and everpresent willingness to minister to the sick and afflicted and in no way have these characteristics been more beautifully illustrated than in the work that has been and is being accomplished by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Winchester Memorial Hospital. The Auxiliary purchased a horse-drawn ambulance for the hospital in 1905 and continued to work diligently to raise funds as needs arose. This Auxiliary eventually became known as the Senior Auxiliary. In March of 1931, another group of women formed the Junior Auxiliary with 20 charter members. Article II of their Constitution and the By-laws state their purpose and aim: to secure funds through various activities for the purpose of supplying needed items to the hospital that cannot be taken care of through ordinary channels. The Juniors were obviously a very social group and planned the first of many New Year s Eve Dances, which was held December 31, 1931 at the George Washington Hotel. This group established the Endowment Fund in 1933 to help defray the cost of treatment of children whose parents could not afford health care and to hold clinics, especially for diphtheria, a real concern at that time. Assistance included tonsil and adenoid operations, dental work as well as providing glasses. 1
Clarke County women organized a Woman s Hospital Auxiliary in 1937. This group was also created to assist the hospital and to help provide needed equipment. One of the fundraisers for this group was a mile of pennies. The Senior Auxiliary had always been supportive of the hospital nurses and their needs. When the hospital was severely damaged by fire in 1924, this Auxiliary not only raised money for help with the reconstruction of the hospital but also met for the purpose of replacing the nurses uniforms, aprons, caps, kerchiefs and cuffs lost in the fire. They also promised to replace all lost textbooks. They accepted offers from Handley School to make kerchiefs, $50 from the Red Cross towards purchase of materials for the uniforms and an offer from two women to make all the nurse s aprons. When the nursing school resumed in 1938, after being closed for 5 years, the Auxiliary helped furnish the nurses home. Fundraising efforts varied for all the Auxiliaries through the early years and along with the pound parties, the Thanksgiving collection at area churches, rummage sales, and varied entertainments, more creative events were planned with some being more lucrative than others. The collection of 450 hangers that were sold to local cleaners realized $2.00 and the sale of magazine subscriptions earned $11.25. They collected soap coupons, held fairs, dinner dances, card parties, fashion shows, benefit concerts and the New Year s Eve Dances. They held raffles for things ranging from crystal perfume bottles and sets of china to a Win a Bull raffle and a trip to New York for two. With the proceeds from these events, the Auxiliaries were able to provide landscaping, insulation for the attic of the OB wing and paint rooms. They purchased furniture, awnings, X-ray equipment, curtains for beds in the wards, an incubator for premature babies and an operating table. They reconditioned the unsightly floors in the surgical wing and the list could go on and on. There was always a needy project. Activity in the organizations continued but with the request for a mobile kitchen from Winchester, England in 1941, the Auxiliary realized that times were changing and our own country soon became involved in the war. The hospital and Auxiliaries were greatly affected by the war. With one third of the medical staff and eighteen nurses serving in the military and many employees and volunteers turning to work in war-related efforts, it was difficult to recruit personnel. Both Auxiliaries discussed disbanding for the duration of the war. The Junior Auxiliary decided to meet quarterly. Both groups sold war bonds, were involved in blood donor clinics and saved old nylons and silk hosiery. Painting rooms became the way of helping the hospital. The Junior Auxiliary continued their work with the Endowment Fund with difficulty and began to provide cod liver oil to undernourished children of the city grade schools. The New Year s Eve Dance was discontinued. The Women s Volunteer Corps was formed in 1944 when 37 women responded to a newspaper plea that volunteers were needed at the hospital. A general chairman was selected and chairmen were appointed for each day of the week. Volunteers were to relieve nurses of responsibilities such as sorting and delivering packages and messages to patients, arranging and delivering flowers, running errands, sewing, helping in the children s ward at mealtime and assisting in directing visitors. By 1945, the group had grown to over 100 volunteers with six on duty each day with the day chair responsible for training and supervising. 2
The Senior Auxiliary, because of declining attendance and funds, voted to disband in 1946 and the members were immediately encouraged to join the Junior Auxiliary. In May of 1947 the juniors voted to change their name to Women s Auxiliary, dropping Jr. and an official letter was prepared inviting members of the disbanded Auxiliary to join this group. In September of that year, assets and funds were combined, numbers in attendance at meetings slowly increased and the Endowment Fund budget rose to $600. Always looking for opportunities to serve, a concession within the hospital was suggested. Because of lack of space, the hospital declined this offer but suggested a mobile unit. In February of 1947, a mobile store was ordered and inventory was decided upon. At the April meeting of that year, a profit of $30.94 was reported for the period of March 4 through April 7. This cart continued to be of service to patients and staff for over 50 years. In 1948, the plea for a larger hospital arose again and it was decided to build a five- story central building, adding a fourth floor to the present medical building and enlarge various departments. With confidence in the economy returning, their support of the proposed addition and the combined funds, the Auxiliary pledged $10,500 to the building fund campaign for a five-bed recovery ward to be paid over a period of three years. Three thousand dollars was given immediately with the remaining pledge paid before its due date. December 1948 heralded the return of the New Year s Eve Dance at the George Washington Hotel. Through the years, the Auxiliary continued to support the nursing students. Because they often met in the nurses residence, they became aware of many needs. Swimming memberships were sponsored for the nurses at the Willow Lawn pool, a Christmas dance was held and the nurses received concert tickets. The living room of the residence was redecorated and other items for the residence were purchased. A Nurses Contingency Fund was established. This was to be used at the discretion of the Director of Nursing. Students who needed financial help were able to receive funding to further their education. A president of the Auxiliary in the 1950 s stated that getting nurses is our business and that any assistance should be forthcoming. A new project began in 1952. Pencils donated by various banks or businesses were sold on the streets of Winchester and outlying areas. This was a major fundraising project for many years making possible an endless list of purchases such as the respirator in 1965 when $1,215.19 was raised just through pencil sales. The Endowment Fund, established in 1933, continued to be important in community outreach for many years. Through its generosity, needy children received dental care, X-rays, medicine, psychiatric care and medical care from treatment for scalp disease to surgery. Children were referred by schools, the welfare department, health department, doctors and school nurses. Services of the health department were not duplicated. This highly individualized and flexible program, designed to plug loop holes, administered locally and with the personal touch assisted by dispensing vitamins, cod-liver oil and even providing milk at school for a time. Twelve gallons of cod liver oil were used in January of 1960. As community services improved, the need for this fund declined. 3
The Memorial Fund was established in 1953. The first project was to furnish the altar of the chapel in the hospital s 1954 wing. This accomplished, the fund continued to grow through memorials for loved ones. There were changes taking place with no further need for cod liver oil and with the establishment of the nursing school at Shenandoah University, the Auxiliary pooled several funds, including the original Endowment Fund, to provide nursing scholarships. The Auxiliary sent $1000 to be part of a new and truly defined Endowment Fund referred to as the Hospital Auxiliary-Memorial Fund. This was made a part of the General Endowment Fund of the hospital so that its principal could be managed and the interest used annually in an award to assist in furthering the education of nurses. Though early scholarships for nursing students were based on need, Merit Awards were established in 1953 and were given to the best all-around nurse from each graduating class. Over the years, the program, now based on merit, has evolved to include all health care professions. Through concentrated fundraising efforts during the 90 s, the principal realized a major increase making more scholarship funds available. In 1961, the Auxiliary pledged $10,000 toward the hospital s building fund goal of one million dollars. In addition, assistance provided through the Memorial Fund included a chapel office, located adjacent to the chapel and a snack bar for the use of visitors and patients. The Auxiliary served as hostesses and tour guides for the dedication of the new hospital wing on October 11, 1964. Follies was an exciting new project in 1961 when a contract was signed with Cargill from New York. A director brought his variety show, including costumes, to town in the winter of 1962. Cast with local talent, this became a greatly anticipated event each year and reached out to the community through entertainment and opportunity for service to the hospital. Through an intense three weeks of rehearsals beginning with a kick-off party and ending with three nights of performances, lifelong friendships were formed. Even a few marriages resulted from The Hospital Follies. Onstage participants and members of the many support committees considered themselves part of the Follies Family. In 1967, the Memorial Hospital Boiler Room Band, consisting of doctors, pharmacists, maintenance men and technician, played before the show and during intermission. In the early years, the talent was mostly hospital based but it then evolved into a community-based event with some participants driving great distances. The projects that benefited by this annual event are too numerous to mention and the results were far-reaching. Proceeds for the first 41 years exceeded $500,000. A volunteer program, similar to the volunteer corps, was initiated at Winchester Memorial Hospital in 1967. The new Director of Volunteers met with the Auxiliary and explained the areas where there would be volunteers. She stated the hospital volunteer, oriented and trained to give help, directly or indirectly, to the patients, can be a definite asset to the hospital staff and community and can strengthen programs. An Auxiliary liaison committee was appointed to work with the volunteer group. Also in 1967, the Auxiliary became a member of the state organization, the Virginia Association of Hospital Auxiliaries (VAHA) which later became the Virginia Association of Healthcare Auxiliaries and Volunteers (VAHAV), better reflecting its members. 4
After many years of the mobile store, the Sunshine Gift Shop opened its doors in March of 1976. From the 11 X10 space, the shop served visitors and staff and saw its profits double in two years. In 1980, they doubled their space allowing for refrigeration for flowers and more opportunities for sales. Ten years later in 1990 with the opening of the hospital at 1840 Amherst Street, the new Gift Shop emerged with large display windows opening onto the lobby as well as the exterior and the latest display features. The retail space doubled and there was a large stock room, a separate flower arranging room and an office for the chairman and buyers. An additional shop opened at 333 W. Cork Street when the Winchester Rehabilitation Center opened at the old hospital location in 1992. The main shop enlarged once again and expanded further into the lobby in 1997. The interiors of both shops and the expansions have been paid for through Gift Shop proceeds and combined gifts to the hospital from the cart and gift shops have exceeded $2,000,000. Stepping back to 1978, there were many organizational changes occurring. A volunteer pin, octagonal with a yellow logo, was designed and the Hospital Service Committee established policies for earning and presentation of pins. The first pins were awarded for 100 hours or more of service. A new format of meetings was established with four yearly informative meetings for the general membership and monthly meetings of the executive board. Separation of the treasurer s duties became necessary. Separate treasurers were named for the Auxiliary, Gift Shop and Follies. The first CPR course was offered in 1979. It was felt that the Auxiliary should be the nucleus group in the community and fifty members completed the course. The TLC project was created that year with members volunteering on the floors and the Information Desk. Also in 1979, the membership voted to raise dues to $5.00 for active and $10.00 for associate members and the first membership handbooks were distributed. In 1980, the honoring of 30-year members was established. The Memorial Fund was enlarged to provide health-related scholarships and $250 was provided for the purchase of a special hearing aid for a teenaged girl through the Endowment Fund. The Gift Shop restructured and began using Day Chairmen to spread responsibility and increase contact with the volunteers. Yellow smocks for volunteers were ordered to match those worn in the Gift Shop and the hospital requested that volunteers wear identification badges supplied by the hospital. Patient Greeters were introduced and Lifeline was a new service project in 1983. One base Lifeline unit and six individual units were purchased at a cost of $10,000. Through a unit worn either around the neck or as a pin, this service provided and continues to provide emergency contact to at risk (age related or health concerns) community residents and provides security and allows for independence that benefits not only the participant but also their families. Winchester Memorial Hospital changed its name to Winchester Medical Center in 1984. To reflect that change the Women s Auxiliary of the Winchester Memorial Hospital became Winchester Medical Center Auxiliary. Gradually it has ceased to be known as the Women s Auxiliary as male members were welcomed to the membership list and at the 100th Anniversary, men represented 20% of the membership. 5
Change was in the air once again when the conceptual drawings for a new hospital were presented in 1985. The Auxiliary also hosted the Northern District VAHA meeting in October of that year. A committee was established in March 1986 to consider Lights of Love, a project for the Christmas season. In November of that year, plans for the hospital to be built at U.S. 50 West and Route 37 were presented. With so many opportunities for involvement, the Auxiliary soon voted to contribute $25,000 for furnishings and equipment for the planned Day Care Center for employees children. Two new projects were introduced in 1987, The Pulse, a newsletter for the Auxiliary, began and Helping Hands was created to aid those traveling through the area who experienced a medical emergency. With training through the Social Service Department, volunteers try to provide what a family member or close friend would be to people who are far from their support systems. During the first summer, this project assisted seven out-of-town patients and their families. This compassionate project continued to touch the lives of people from many states and foreign countries for over twenty years. The Auxiliary was asked to assist with WMC s Inaugural Golf Tournament in 1988. Though the duties and responsibilities have changed over the years, this event continues to be an opportunity for service enjoyed by all who participate. Groundwork was laid to establish a closer working relationship between the Auxiliary and the volunteers. Junior volunteers were a big help in the Gift Shop during the summer of 1988. Balloons were offered for the first time at the Gift Shop and became a very popular and successful item. With the upcoming move to the Amherst campus, the time had come for the long anticipated Lights of Love project. A site was chosen for a spruce that would be adorned with lights purchased in honor or memory of someone special in the contributor s life. The lighting of the first tree was held on December 1, 1988 and another tradition began. On December 1of each year, this holiday tradition continues to honor someone who has contributed to the medical community over the years by designating them the tree lighter. The star atop the tree represents this special individual. Because of the growth of this project, a tree was added at Cork Street in 1992 and additional trees on the Amherst campus were also added. The proceeds of the first Lights of Love tree were presented to Blue Ridge Hospice. Since that time, contributions of more than $300,000 have been divided between the hospital and Blue Ridge Hospice. The anticipated opening of the new hospital created great excitement and a flurry of activity during 1989 and 1990. The yellow smocks were replaced by teal jackets to blend with the new hospital s décor. The Auxiliary purchased a courtesy van or people mover. Staffed by trained volunteer drivers, it roams the parking lots and transports patients and visitors from their cars to the entrances and back again. Auxiliary members and volunteers assisted with open houses and tours. In addition to providing funds for the Day Care Center, the membership commissioned a stained-glass window for the new chapel and provided other chapel furnishings, purchased additional Lifeline units, furnished the terrace garden and began landscaping at 333 W. Cork Street. The Auxiliary held its first meeting at the new hospital in January of 1990, the move to the new Gift Shop was accomplished and volunteers assisted with the patient move. New I.D. badges were required for all volunteers and Auxiliary members and Auxiliary hours were computerized for ease of 6
record keeping. The September meeting was held in the new conference center. The Auxiliary was proud to showcase the new hospital and especially the new Gift Shop when they hosted the Northern District VAHA meeting in the spring of 1991. A two-year project was approved in May of 1992. The Auxiliary pledged $200,000 toward the construction of a therapeutic pool at the Rehabilitation Center at 333 W. Cork Street to be used by both patients and community members. A Gift Shop was opened at that location and the landscaping at Cork Street was completed. December of that year saw the beginning of another holiday tradition for the younger set called Breakfast with Santa. This event eventually expanded to two seatings with a waiting list. Proceeds from this project help to support the next new project that began with the first baby born in 1993. Baby Safe was a community project developed by the Auxiliary, Winchester Medical Center and the Winchester/Frederick County Fire and Rescue Departments. Smoke detectors purchased by the Auxiliary were given to each baby born at the hospital and fire department personnel offered free home inspections and smoke detector installation. Letters were sent to the families reminding them to change the batteries after the first time change. In March of 1993, a night of Follies performance was cancelled due to the Blizzard of the Century and the Therapeutic pool was dedicated in October. Children continued to be a focus in 1994 when Baby Photo became an Auxiliary project. The proceeds from photo packets of newborns taken by the nursery staff were earmarked for Baby Safe. William the Cat was created where volunteers went to area schools and presented a hospital education program to children in Kindergarten for allaying fears of hospitalization. The two-year pledge to the Therapeutic pool was proudly completed. Improved attendance at general meetings became a focus in September 1994. Serving lunch following each meeting was part of the successful effort. The Winchester Medical Center Hospital Board approved Auxiliary representation on their Board in November of that year. A past-president of the Auxiliary served as the representative on the Hospital Board. In 1995 a Clothes Closet was established to assist patients with items of clothing needed during their hospital stay or for their discharge. The Auxiliary also approved funding for another new project, Animal Assisted Therapy. Animals with appropriate temperaments and special training continue to be used by appropriate staff to assist patients in accomplishing defined treatment goals. Though it started at the Rehabilitation Center, other departments benefit from these very special volunteer teams. In 1999, Animal Assisted Therapy, in collaboration with Shenandoah University and the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, received one of five grants awarded nationwide by the Pet Care Trust in Washington, D.C. This grant was used for the development of curriculum and standards leading to certification in AAT for health care professionals, the first AAT program on record to be offered at an accredited institution. This project has been presented at both national and international occupational therapy meetings. AAT and Shenandoah University were co-presenters at an International Conference in Stockholm, Sweden in the summer of 2002, with 3,000 occupational therapists from 60 countries in attendance. 7
An orientation to familiarize new Auxiliary Board members with the hospital and the Auxiliary was developed in 1996. Flu shots were provided by the Auxiliary for the diabetic patients at the Free Medical Clinic. The Gift Shop celebrated its Twentieth Anniversary and started accepting Visa and MasterCard in the shops. Helping Hands volunteers changed from carrying a pager to a cell phone in 1998. The Auxiliary voted to fund the Health Adventure program. This mentor and health education program paired a mentor with a middle school student who had been targeted as a risk for dropping out of school. One half of the Follies proceeds were given to the Free Medical Clinic in 1999. The Volunteer Office also improved the computer system for compiling hours that year. The Auxiliary began a one-year Centennial celebration in 2001. Historical information and project histories were shared at each General Meeting and a Centennial float representing the past and the present won second place in its category in the Apple Blossom Grand Feature Parade. The establishment of a Thrift Shop had been considered at different times over the years. After extended research and the presentation of a formal business plan, the Auxiliary voted to approve the project in the spring of 2002. A location was secured, contributions began arriving and the shop opened its doors in November 2002. The Auxiliary concluded its year of celebration for 100 years with the return of the once popular New Year s Eve Dance on December 31, 2002 held at the Berryville Avenue Hampton Inn. The System Support Building opened in July 2005. The Auxiliary received plans to convert the Hurst House into a Ronald McDonald type of hospitality house for patients families who lived outside a forty-mile radius of Winchester. Doris Trant was hired in January 2007 as Director of Volunteer Services to replace Sharon Thornton. Ms. Trant became the new WMC Auxiliary liaison with the hospital. Hurst Hospitality House had a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 10, 2007. The grand opening of Valley Health Wellness and Fitness Center was scheduled for September 27, 2008. The Helping Hands project celebrated its Twentieth year in 2008. Expansions for the hospital included: the parking deck, the North Tower, a Lab addition and a Heart Center. A new Courtesy Van was purchased on March 31, 2009. A new Diagnostic Center opened in May 2009. The total of our donations to the hospital for 2009 was $250,000. The Auxiliary voted in June 2010 to suspend Follies after 49 years since the production company from New York, Cargill, went out of business. The Auxiliary partnered with Valley Health to purchase the Health Coach in 2010. A new Volunteer Office and a new Chapel opened in September/October 2010. 8
Plans to search for a new location for the Auxiliary Attic began in 2011. The new Heart and Vascular Information Desk opened in May 2011 and the Baby Photo project was launched. On January 20, 2012, the Auxiliary celebrated the opening of the new North Tower and new Auxiliary North Tower Gift Shop. The Auxiliary leased a new location at 381 Millwood Avenue (Millwood Crossing) for the Attic. A grant of $5,500 was received from Home Depot to upgrade the building. In May 2012, the Auxiliary completed its pledge of $375,000 for the Mobile Health Coach. In July 2012, the Auxiliary pledged $500,000 to the WMC Foundation for the construction of a new Cancer Center. In May 2014 EPIC, a state-of-the-art integrated electronic medical record was launched. This was done in collaboration with Inova Health System, which entered into a formal alliance with Valley Health System for a variety of shared services. A Baby Cuddler program began in April 2015 to care for babies who were born to opioid-addicted mothers. The Breakfast with Santa program was discontinued because of the many other breakfasts being offered in the community. A ground- breaking ceremony for the new Cancer Center was held in May 2015. The Cork Street Gift Shop was closed on June 30, 2016 because the building was sold and our lease was not renewed. The Helping Hands program was discontinued in January 2016 because the need for lodging for out-of-town visitors was being met by Hurst Hospitality House. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Cancer Center was held, August 26, 2016. The Auxiliary increased its pledge to the Cancer Center to $800,000, which made the Auxiliary the largest single donor in the $10 million campaign; the lobby of the center was named in honor of the Auxiliary. The Auxiliary received the Shining Light award from Blue Ridge Hospice in 2017 in appreciation of our Lights of Love monies that have been shared with them for a total of $360,250. The Auxiliary s By-laws and Constitution were revised. The Auxiliary Attic celebrated its Fifteenth Anniversary and Hurst Hospitality House celebrated its Tenth anniversary with over 20,000 usages in 2017. Lights of Love celebrated its thirtieth anniversary in 2017. The Auxiliary partnered with the WMC Foundation by selling tickets to the European Festival which was held September 30, 2017. We elected our first male President-Elect in the history of the organization. In 2018, a history case located in the WMC Conference Center was unveiled. The case displayed 116 years of Auxiliary history. 9
This history of the Winchester Medical Center Auxiliary is electronically updated every year and published every five years. For more information, contact the WMC Volunteer office at 1840 Amherst Street, Winchester, VA 22601 or 540 536-8156.