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 original officers were: vice-president, 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 around the hospital to sell small items to the patients.
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, now closed, opened in 1956 in conjunction with the Rotary Club. The auxiliary 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 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 Birth 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 366. |  |
|