UMH Auxiliary Awards Fall 2018 Scholarship Recipients

The Uvalde Memorial Hospital Auxiliary met for their monthly meeting on Monday, August 6. President Eddie McKinney called the meeting to order and Shirley Grigg led the group in prayer. Janet Hynes then shared the thought for the day: “A mistake is evidence that someone tried to do something.”

Maria Vela introduced the group’s guest speaker for the meeting. Elsa and Claudio Valenzuela from New Beginnings, an adult day care center, shared information with the group on their center’s services. The facility offers daytime care from 6:00am –4:00pm and has a maximum capacity of 56 clients. Their current census is 41.

New Beginningsis funded by Medicaid but clients can also have private insurance, veteran’s assistance, private pay, or other options. Transportation is available. Their services include meals, snacks, crafts, exercise, and entertainment. The staff also accompanies clients to weekly chores in town such as visits to the doctor’s office or hospital, grocery shopping at HEB or Walmart, or to the bank.

New Beginnings also has a full time dietician and licensed vocational nurse on staff. The dietician plans and prepares all meals and snacks to ensure they are nutritious, and the nurse helps with medical concerns and dispersion of medication for the clients.

The office is located at 1007 North Getty Street and the Valenzuela’s invited interested individuals or family members to come by anytime for more information or a tour. They can also be reached by phone at 830-591-9351.

Following the presentation, Charla Carter, Human Resources Officer and Director of Volunteer Services, introduced fall scholarship recipients to the group. Lyndon Benedict Dyngzon, Priscella Dean, and Marisa Flores were awarded the Auxiliary’s annual fall scholarships. The first two recipients will be entering the second year in the registered nursing program at Southwest Texas Junior College and Flores will be entering her first year in the licensed vocational nursing program.

Secretary Barbara Hogan read July meeting minutes and treasurer Barbara Blair shared the previous month’s financials. Blair also shared an invitation from Peterson Health Auxiliary in Kerrville who is hosting the District 8 meeting on September 17. Interested members should contact Charla Carter to register.

Sherley Wentz reiterated information on the scholarship recipients and shared the group’s beautification report.

Shirley Grigg shared the gift shop report and noted that the gift shop’s bankbook and deposits were stolen from her residence at the end of July. Grigg did a bake sale to raise money to replace what was lost.

Barbara Hogan gave the membership report and shared that there are currently 44 auxilians. More volunteers are needed to cover shifts at the information desk on Friday afternoons and various days and times in the social services area.

Correspondence director Ann Reagan updated the group on all notes sent throughout the month.

Lastly, the group heard from hospital chief executive officer Tom Nordwick. Nordwick gave a report on the current status of the hospital’s new building project and shared that it was behind the originally anticipated timeline by approximately 90-120 days. Following the selection of the construction manager at risk, original estimates presented to the hospital were much higher than anticipated so the team has gone back to the drawing board to eliminate unnecessary square footage and pair down costs throughout the proposed facility. He stressed that while the delay might be frustrating, the importance of being good financial stewards for future generations is a priority. He also shared that the hospital has met with state architects to clarify the necessity of new equipment and the process of moving current technology to the new facility. He anticipates cost savings through this process. The New Market Tax Credit program is also being explored which could save the hospital upwards of $3 million on the project.

The meeting concluded with hospital updates and events report from Charla Carter and Karla Radicke.

For more information on becoming a member of the Auxiliary, please contact Charla Carter, volunteer services director, at (830) 278- 6251 extension 1435.