Torrance Memorial Medical Center Auxiliary December 2013 Between Us Vol. 60 Issue 12 The Healing Garden 2013 President Message Auxiliary President’s Will and Testament: As I leave the position of President of the Torrance Memorial Medical Center Auxiliary, I do hereby will and bequeath to Schola Tsai the following: All unused newsletter topics A place as a runway model in the Gift Shop fashion show The assistance of the ladies in the VSD The support of the Auxiliary Board My portable office A picture of Beyoncé What I take with me: My Monday p.m. Escort Shift high school students My Friday a.m. “peeps” My new circle of friends (well, I might share) Signed: Susan Lohn Save the Date General Meeting and Luncheon Installation of 2014 Auxiliary Board Presentation of Donation Check to Torrance Memorial January 7, 2014 11:00 a.m See flyer enclosed in this newsletter From the Director’s Desk Mary Matson In November we welcomed the newest member of the Volunteer Services department – Debbie Hight, our new office Secretary. Debbie has already proven to be a great addition to our staff in her role providing clerical and administrative support to the adult and student programs. In addition to answering phones and assisting volunteers in the office along with Marcela, Debbie takes the lead on entering hours and other data entry to our volunteer database (VSys One), ordering supplies, and performing general clerical duties for our growing volunteer program. As you may recall, we held off on staffing the student program coordinator position so we could bring on this much needed front office help. We will move forward with that position in 2014. Debbie transferred to our department after 2 ½ years as a Patient Access Representative (i.e., Admit Rep), first in Central Registration and then in Labor and Delivery. Many of our Registration Desk and L&D volunteers know Debbie and Mary Matson speak very highly of her – good confirmation of our hiring decision! Debbie has an undergraduate degree in Public Administration as well as a law degree. After spending some valuable years raising two daughters, Debbie says she was thrilled to join the staff at Torrance Memorial in 2011. Debbie’s remarks about joining Volunteer Services: “I feel very privileged to be able to assist our wonderful volunteers and look forward to meeting all of you! I thought Labor and Delivery was busy and exciting but Volunteer Services is even busier! I especially want to extend my thanks to all the wonderful volunteers I worked with in Labor and Delivery. Their presence helped immensely in getting our patients to their rooms quickly!” Welcome, Debbie! We are so glad you are part of our team. Mary Matson Welcome New Volunteers Please give a warm Auxiliary welcome to our new volunteers from the November orientation: Neil Bautista Alexandra Ford Kanta Oguma Francine Soderstrom Sarra Beauzil Gabrielle Hersey Jesse Ortiz Mary Ann Solon Anna Candalla Viola Jackson Maria Polanco Andrea Solorzano Libby Cavagnaro Susan Johnson Gretchen Privett Abraham Taylor Vicky Chen Marian Komori Carol Quan Cheryl Todd Shirley Cook Eileen Kramer Thomas Robinson Paulynn Turner Steve Cooper Cynthia Ling Leah Robledo Richard Walker Miranda Cortez Melinda Ma Karen Rozenblatt Richelle Wildey Deanna Cowell Aaron Manabat Sahar Rupani April Willenberg Darnell Dean Ellen McCafferty Vicki Savage Bruce Dolph Sandy Mismith Eva Schaefer Susan Evans Martha Nordskog Deborah Segal Judith Fisher Jeri O’Donnell Sheetal Singh Giving Thanks with our Student Volunteers Mary Matson stops by Carol Perna’s Sunday morning student Escort shift potluck on November 17. Page 3 Between Us "A Special Thanks" Auxiliary Members, Another year as your Special Events Chairperson is coming to an end. My hope is that you had a wonderful experience at many fantastic places, such as Presidential Libraries, wineries, Queen Mary, The Doctors, Laughlin, Pechanga, Heritage Valley Train, as well as several others. We partnered with local restaurants in fundraisers that brought in approximately $1,000 for the Healing Garden. I would like to say "Thank You" to all the Volunteers that participated in our trips, bake sales, and restaurant fundraisers. I would like to offer a very special thanks to Irene Goldman for assisting me with the flyers and helping to organize some of our trips, and to Joanie Stahura for organizing our restaurant fundraisers. There is one volunteer that has worked tirelessly behind the scenes that also deserves a special thanks for helping Irene and myself navigate our way through this assignment: that is Margaret Johnson. We could not have done it without you!! Valerie Punzal Auxiliary Special Events Chairperson Annual Auxiliary Bake Sale Thanks to everyone who baked and helped setup and sell for our very successful TMMC Auxiliary Bake Sale. Bakers brought in wonderful breads, scrumptious cookies, mouth watering cookie bars, delightful tarts, trail-mix and June Leach's marinated pretzels that were a huge hit! I appreciate everyone's efforts in helping to make this year’s Bake Sale a huge success. Our net profit was over $1,100. Thanks Again! Valerie Punzal Auxiliary Special Events Chairperson Condolences Thank You's We were sad to learn of the To the Volunteer Staff and Volunteers, passing of Virginia (Ginny) Thanks for the flowers and best wishes while I was in the hospital. I came home after 2 days and am getting better Keller, an eleven year volunteer every day. I can't wait to get back to work at the hospital who had been out on a medical instead of being a patient. leave of absence. Ginny volun- Jerry Herman teered in Escort, I&R desk and most recently as a Patient Thank you so much for the beautiful azalea plant sent by Representative. Ginny Virginia (Ginny Keller the auxiliary in response to my mother’s passing. lived a wonderful life as a respected teacher at Deacon Martin Clement Gardena H.S. for 38 years and a TWA flight Dear Friends, attendant prior to that. Thank you so much for the lovely flowers you sent while I was recovering from surgery. I did so enjoy their beauty Our thoughts are with the family and friends of and the beauty of the thoughts behind them. Marilyn Cimino. Marilyn was a volunteer at the Ruth Kisner Registration Desk for almost 2 years and was out on a medical leave at the time of her passing. Page 4 Between Us Kindness Korner Gift Shop News I would like to share a heartwarming Can you believe December is funny story about a patient, a little here already? We sincerely boy, age 7, whom I was sent to hope you will visit us and take discharge [editor’s note: name redacted advantage of the fun and throughout due to HIPAA]. When I arrived at his fabulous items our buyers have room, his dad was with a nurse, so I explained selected just for you. Our that we would meet him at the West Discharge wonderful volunteers have been area and that his son was in safe hands and also busy little elves decorating and displaying holiday assuring the boy that he was going to have a nice items. Please notice the beautiful displays of ride. By the time we were on the elevator, he told Byers Carolers put together by Mary Croes. The me that he was a twin and also had two sisters at gift shop is truly a winter wonderland of unique the school he attended. At that point, I knew he and unusual gifts from stocking stuffers to fine felt safe and comfortable with me. While we jewelry. waited for his dad, I sat on a bench so I would have eye contact with him. He told me, “you see Each day during the week of Monday, December your thumb, well I was as big as your thumb, and 2nd through Sunday, December 8th, we will be you know how I know that, from seeing pictures hosting an Open House. We invite you to visit us. with my grandma, holding me when I was a You can shop, enjoy some Santa cookies and take baby.” Then he said, “I’m going to tell you a big advantage of our 20% off sale. Yes, 20% off all wide secret. You know, I’m married and her items, excluding flowers, plants, magazines, name is [removed] and we met in preschool. I fragrances, lotions, all candy - including See's think we knew each other as babies.” I kept my and the Byers Carolers. Your discount is a gift composure and all I could say was “Really.” At from us as a token of appreciation for your that time, his dad arrived and I told him what a continuing support! dream his son is, and with that, the little boy wrapped his arms around me, and gave me a big While you are there, be sure to check out the hug and said goodbye. Little boy, you made my opportunity for a beautiful mouth-watering See’s day and made me appreciate volunteering in Candy Basket. Tickets will go on sale December Escort Services even more. 2nd. The winner will be announced on Friday, Submitted by RoseAnn Imbro – Escort Services December 20th at 3:00 p.m. Opportunity drawing tickets are $1.00 or 6 tickets for $5.00 Please be one of our Condolences Angels and help us make December the most We extend our condolences to Kandee Gutierrez, profitable month of the college student Emergency Department volunteer, year! Come by often to on the passing of her grandfather. shop for yourself or for that special person in your We express our deepest condolences to Lorne life.