The Kona Community Hospital Auxiliary met on Monday, January 10 for its annual general membership meeting featuring guest speaker, Senator Josh Green, M.D. It drew a crowd of 80 attendees.
As the current Health Committee Chair and Emergency Physician at Kohala Hospital, Green discussed today’s healthcare climate, as well as the key bills in the new legislative session. He also talked about the challenges and opportunities that rural health facilities face. “There is a 22% shortage of physicians in our community,” he commented. “If we do not do anything, by 2025 it will be 40%.”
Joy Nelson, 2010 Auxiliary President, presented volunteer pins to those who met milestone volunteer hours. Kathy Golizen who knits newborn baby hats for the Obstetrics department was the volunteer with the most hours at 1448. In 2010, the total number of volunteer hours provided by the Auxiliary was 8117 which equates to $169,240 of free services.
The newly elected 2011 officers consist of President Mary Quinn (who received the Volunteer of the Year Award during the meeting), Vice-President Sheila Conner, Recording Secretary Zee Knapp, Corresponding Secretary Phyllis Hanson, Treasurer Patty Schumacher, and Directors – Roy Conner, Christine Hoffman, JoDee Humme, Ralph Jackson, Jean Leitch, and Joy Nelson (2010 President).
With 65 volunteers, the KCH 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. Monies go toward hospital activities and nursing scholarships. To be a volunteer or to donate to the nursing scholarship fund, contact the Auxiliary office at 322-4577.
Founded in 1914, KCH is a 94-bed full-service hospital with 24-hour emergency services that supports the west region of the island of Hawaii. It is a member of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, a special agency of the state of Hawaii established in 1996. It is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Kona Community Hospital is dedicated to providing and enhancing accessible comprehensive healthcare services to the West Hawaii community.