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| | History of Preston Memorial Hospital’s Auxiliary
 The Preston Memorial Auxiliary has been with the hospital since it opened in 1955. The auxiliary formed with 354 members. The first president of the auxiliary was Isa. B. Davis, the mother of deceased Kingwood physician, Dr. D. R Davis who worked countless hours at the hospital. The first vice-president was Susan Funk, secretary, Ruth Jean Milne, treasurer, Mrs. Arden O. (Gertrude) Halbriter, and director of volunteers, Mrs. Milford (Philomena), Hardesty. William Morgan was the hospital administrator.
According to the minutes of September 10, 1955, the auxiliary sewed curtains and patient gowns, helped with cleaning, prepared corn and beans in the kitchen, worked at the switchboard on the weekends, made surgical dressings, did office work, and took a cart about the hospital to sell small items to the patients.
The members also gathered “good fiction books” (no murder or mystery books) for the patients to exchange. At the same meeting, the minutes noted that 205 persons had volunteered 1,161 hours to the hospital since its opening.
In the early days, the auxiliary had a different look too. The minutes take note of the official auxiliary uniform of “cheery, cheery red” pinafores and caps with white blouses. The Auxiliary snack bar, (which is presently closed), opened in 1956 in conjunction with the Rotary Club. The auxiliary also pushed the patient cart, sponsored the Red Cross Blood Mobile, and originated a nursing scholarship. The auxiliary, then under the presidency of Virginia Lehman, first established the Nursing Scholarship on April 29, 1964 from the interest on the John Lehman Memorial Fund which was later transferred to the Hospital Nursing Scholarship Fund.
 The Auxiliary is still active at Preston Memorial Hospital today.
President Hilma Barlow says the group has 45 active members. Activities of the Auxiliary today include: the Craft ladies, who sew items for sale in the gift case, working at the blood drives and helping at the book fairs, health fairs and sponsoring the Blood Dives.
The Auxiliary continues to gift the Health Careers program at PMH with at least $2,000 each year. Other items provided to the hospital in the last 3 years include:
· $4,000 donated towards the new 16 slice CT Scan purchased in November of 2008
· Donating gifts to the first baby born in the New Year in the Birthing center
· Purchased Neonatal Resuscitator for the Birth Center
· Purchased 2nd floor Nurses lounge furniture and lockers
· Help fund the PMH Beautification committee.
· Defibrillator for the Sleep lab
· Chairs and Furniture for the CEO’s office
· Housekeepers’ lockers.
If you are interested in joining the ladies auxiliary please call: 304 329 1400 ex 308 | |
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Preston Memorial Hospital | 300 South Price Street | Kingwood, WV 26537 | (304) 329-1400
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