Auxiliary Holds Monthly Meeting

At their monthly meeting held on Monday, June 2, the Uvalde Memorial Hospital Auxiliary heard a brief presentation, introduced by Pat McFarland, from Uvalde Memorial Hospital radiology director Ralph Gonzalez. Gonzalez reviewed details of the Women’s Imaging Center, opened in April, with the group. He started by explaining the project began over four years ago with community focus groups to learn about what patients truly wanted in an imaging center. Based on results from the focus group, the project proceeded and has led to the opening of a center that revolves around women. It provides a private, comfortable, and feminine centered environment for mammography, ultrasound, biopsy, and bone density studies. He then discussed the equipment housed in the Women’s Imaging Center and explained how it compares to other facilities.

“Our technology rivals just about anything you can find in San Antonio or other urban areas. We are fortunate to have a medical staff and executive team that values making the best imaging equipment on the market available locally for our patients,” Gonzalez stated.

Gonzalez shared that the new Philip’s MicroDose Digital Mammography unit produces up to 70 percent less radiation than the hospital’s previous analog unit and also less radiation than other digital units on the market. He explained that in addition to the quicker exam time, the unit it is said to provide a more comfortable exam. Clearer images are also a benefit of the new unit and result in the ability to potentially identify smaller lesions sooner. The Hologic Platinum Stereotactic Biopsy table was also highlighted. Biopsy procedures completed using this method and equipment are less invasive among other benefits.

Following the presentation, Pat McFarland and Sissy Parham presented members with bars for hours of service. Top honors went to Evelyn Hutchinson with 10, 500 hours. Charles Lemon received honors for 5,000 hours. Shirley Cummings, Pat McFarland, and Sherley Wentz hit the 3, 500 hour milestone. Cleo Lemon reached 3,000 hours. Mary Dirksen and Olivia Castillo received bars for 1,500 hours and Loretta Warren, Millie Verstuyft, and Janet Hines were recognized for 1,000 hours of service.

In other business, Jeanne Leake, chief nursing officer, discussed the hospital’s recent partnership for nutrition and environmental services with a management company, HHS, out of Austin, Texas. Leake also shared with the volunteers that hospital staff is completing the annual budgeting process.

Charles and Cleo Lemon discussed their attendance at the annual Texas Association of Healthcare Volunteers convention on May 19-21 in Galveston, Texas. Eddie McKinney read the thought of the day; Barbara Hogan read minutes from the previous meeting; Cleo Lemon gave the treasurer’s report; and the gift shop and information desk schedules were reviewed. Shirley Wentz gave the beautification report and discussed nursing scholarship applications. Applications are due June 30 and interested individuals can visit www.umhtx.org for additional information.

The Auxiliary will meet again on Monday, July 7, at 10a.m. in the Wrather Holmgreen Conference Room at Uvalde Memorial Hospital.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the UMH Auxiliary, please contact Rebecca Taylor, director of volunteer services, at 830-278-6251 ext. 1474.