Special to Hawaii 24/7 by Emily Mendez-Bryant | Kona Community Hospital Community Relations

The Kona Community Hospital Auxiliary met Monday, Jan. 10 for its annual general membership meeting featuring guest speaker, Sen. Josh Green, M.D. It drew a crowd of 80 attendees.

As the current Health Committee chairman 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.

Joy Nelson presents Mary Quinn with the Volunteer of the Year Award. (Photo courtesy of the Kona Community Hospital Auxiliary)

“There is a 22 percent shortage of physicians in our community,” he said. “If we do not do anything, by 2025 it will be 40 percent.”

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 1,448.

In 2010, the total number of volunteer hours provided by the Auxiliary was 8,117, 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.