Emerson Hospital Auxiliary Hosts 84th Annual Meeting

On October 23, 2008, the Emerson Hospital Auxiliary hosted its 84th annual meeting and luncheon at the Nashawtuc Country Club. Denise Haartz, Auxiliary President, convened the business portion of the meeting, presenting the Auxiliary’s annual gift to Emerson Hospital. The Auxiliary’s fiscal year end gift, combined with the Community Services Gift Shop contribution was $200,000. The gift was presented to Hospital President and CEO Christine Schuster, Donna Grinnell, Gift Shop Manager, and Sharon Knox, Director of Community Services. The funds donated will contribute significantly to a variety of programs at Emerson including Bethke Cancer Center services, the Pediatric Intervention Team, Transport Wheelchairs, and Nursing Scholarships.

Denise pointed out that many Auxiliary members have given their time in 2008 to support patients at Emerson. “Anti-ouch pouch pillows” and quilts were lovingly sewn and donated for cancer patients. Also, a record breaking 712 teddy bears were donated to the Emerson Pediatric Intervention Team of the hospital. According to Christine Schuster: “Healthcare is really a team sport and the Auxiliary has made a significant contribution”. Starting on February 10th of next year, the hospital will host an annual Auxiliary Appreciation Luncheon at Nashawtuc as a way of saying thank you to Auxiliary members.

Nancy Kingman, past President of the Auxiliary, presented the new slate of Auxiliary officers for 2008-09. They are: Denise Haartz, President; Ann Lehmann, President Elect; Priscilla Gannon, Treasurer, and Sally Bradford, Secretary.

The meeting also included an exciting presentation made by Brooke Rutledge Seckel, MD. Dr. Seckel is a nationally and internationally recognized authority on plastic surgery and the treatment of facial aging. His presentation focused on the latest developments in plastic surgery and, in particular, on non-invasive techniques for facial and body rejuvenation. Everyone was given a complimentary copy of Dr. Seckel’s new book, “Save Your Face—the Revolutionary 6-Step Non-Surgical Facial Rejuvenation Program”. According to Dr. Seckel, “In the next 5 years, plastic surgery is likely to change dramatically and become much less invasive. This is due largely to the use of lasers that can not only dissolve fat, but also actually tighten the skin.”

The Auxiliary is always interested in welcoming new members. Anyone interested in joining the Auxiliary should contact Karen McCarthy at emersonauxiliaryblog@gmail.com