Some of the 52 volunteers with Kona Community Hospital Auxiliary. (Photo courtesy of Kona Community Hospital)

MEDIA RELEASE

The Kona Community Hospital (KCH) Auxiliary met Monday, Jan. 9 for its annual general membership meeting featuring guest speaker, Senator Josh Green, M.D. It drew a crowd of 60.

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.

He said, “Volunteers such as you make a difference at our hospitals.”

Joy Nelson, Volunteer Hours Chair and Past-President, presented volunteer pins to those who met milestone volunteer hours.

Kathy Golitzen, who knits newborn baby hats for the Obstetrics department, was the volunteer with the most hours at 1,112.

In 2011, the total number of volunteer hours provided by the Auxiliary was 8,652 which equates to a contribution of $184,807 in services.

The newly elected 2012 officers consist of President Mary Quinn, Vice-President Pat Fornatano, Recording Secretary Beverly Page, Corresponding Secretary Phyllis Hanson, Treasurer David Clarke, and Directors – Christine Hoffman, JoDee Humme, Roger Knoblauch, Jean Leitch, Lorraine Miller and Joy Nelson.

The Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Ralph Jackson and Kathy Golitzen.

With 52 active 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.

For more information, call 322-4577 or visit www.kchauxiliary.org