Auxiliary helps patients, families in several ways
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One of the early responsibilities of the Auxiliary was distributing magazines to patients. Pictured in this 1961 photo are Mrs. Carl Herod and Mrs. Hugh Taylor. -
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Today, Auxiliary members Alana McRoberts (left) and Mary Pownell help patients and family members find their way around the hospital. The Auxiliary will celebrate its 60th anniversary during a community reception on Sept. 17. -
The Cogdell Memorial Hospital Auxiliary has always managed the information desk over its 60-year history. It started out as a small table in 1961 with Mrs. J.W. Clawson, Mrs. Harry Ward, Mrs. V.T. Terry and Mrs. Gene Thompson.
The ladies, and one gentleman, who wear pink in Cogdell Memorial Hospital do more than welcome visitors and guide them to the proper department.
The Auxiliary helps in ways that many people do not realize when they buy something in the gift shop or a box of popcorn. The purchases are actually helping services at the hospital.
This year, the Auxiliary is celebrating its 60th anniversary and will be honored during a community reception in the hospital’s main lobby from 4-6 p.m. Sept. 17.
“We are blessed to have an outstanding hospital Auxiliary,” hospital CEO Ella Helms said. “Just having the Auxiliary here makes the atmosphere friendlier and more pleasant, in addition to their work sponsoring blood drives and their involvement with our patients. The Auxiliary scholarship program, funded one box of popcorn at a time, is a rich legacy for Cogdell Memorial Hospital.”
Current Auxiliary member Ruby Stout traced the group’s history back to when it first met with the hospital’s board of directors in 1958.
“In 1958, a group of ladies thought it would be a good idea to have a hospital Auxiliary,” she said. “The board approved and the Auxiliary was organized on March 13, 1958.”
The group’s first meeting was held on April 10, 1958 and officers were elected. The first group of officers were president Mrs. Carl Herod, first vice president Mrs. P.W. McCloud, second vice president Mrs. Herman Doak, treasurer Mrs. Skipper Jones, secretary Mrs. Bill Wilson and corresponding secretary Mrs. Bill Brown.
“The first day to work was April 20, 1958. Some of the duties they performed were sewing bandages, working in central supply with the sterilizing machine and distributing magazines to patients,” Stout said.
The Auxiliary also helped provide needed supplies for the hospital, which opened in January 1954. Stout said the group purchased a porta-lift and intercom system in 1959. Later that year, they donated six rocking chairs for the children’s wing.
“Many donations of money to buy equipment for the hospital have been made through the years. Many of these things have become obsolete,” Stout said.
The Auxiliary was responsible for telephones being placed in patient rooms and a piano on the fourth floor when the hospital had an assisted living facility.
Most recently, the Auxiliary donated furnishings for the chapel and doctor’s lounge and a clock in the lobby. Stout said they are not finished raising money to purchase equipment.
“At this time, we are working on furnishing a room for families of palliative care patients,” she said. “There will be a couch, recliner and other furnishings. The Auxiliary will keep the room stocked with coffee, tea and snacks.”
The gift shop is the main source of money for the Auxiliary. It opened on Sept. 1, 1970 with only a glass case and counter. Today, the gift shop is located in the main lobby and a stopping point for many visitors, Stout said.
The Auxiliary also uses funds to help provide scholarships for students entering the medical field. That is where the popcorn machine comes into play. The fund started with $1,500 in 1970 and has grown throughout the years. There is one catch for winning the scholarship.
“Each recipient signs a legal contract stipulating that they will work two years at Cogdell or repay the amount of the scholarship,” Stout said. “We have helped many physicians, physician’s assistants and nurses over the years.”
Stout said several completed the two years and moved on, but some have stayed and called Snyder home, including Dr. Bid Cooper, Dr. David Kerr, PA Vanessa Arnwine and nurses Kristen Perez, Wendy Moran, Dominique Braziel, Angela Savedra and Alana Pullis. Currently on scholarship and working at Cogdell are Martha Cabrera, DeAnn Lopez, Natasha Whitely and Sherri Whitefield.
Stout said the Auxiliary members will continue to greet people with a smile for the next 60 years and beyond. She hopes the tradition of lending a helping hand to Scurry County’s health care professionals will be the focal point of the group.
“We are willing to do whatever the hospital administration asks,” he said.