Women’s Board
members Karin Foxman, Mary Smith, Hilary Maner
(outgoing President), Cammy Wagner, and Jeanie
Fischer at the Board’s closing luncheon, May
2011.
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The Bryn Mawr Hospital Women’s Board’s 2011 gift to Bryn Mawr Hospital
was presented last November to Russell Bullitt, Executive Director of
Development, by Women’s Board President, Caroline B. (Cackie) Rogers.
Totaling $116,875, the donation represents proceeds from the auxiliary’s
numerous events and projects held in the past year. In accordance with
the Women’s Board’s wishes, their gift will be used to purchase 3 new
cardiac monitors for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and
upgrades and enhancements in the Warden Lobby.
In addition to supporting projects selected yearly from a list of
current hospital needs, the Women’s Board underwrites the Department of
Community Health Services’ Wig program with a grant of $15,000 per year.
The only resource of its kind in the tri-state area, the Wig Program
annually serves approximately 200 female cancer patients anticipating or
experiencing hair loss due to chemo or radiation therapy treatments. To
be eligible, participants must reside within the Main Line Health
service area (Chester, Delaware, Montgomery or Philadelphia County) or
be a patient of a MLH provider. Once accepted, participants receive a
one hour appointment with a professional wig consultant, one free
synthetic wig selected from a wide range of available styles and colors,
and a free turban. Also provided is a folder of information that
includes wig care instructions, a list of local wig salons, financial
assistance resources for cancer patients, and Look Good/Feel Better©
Program information (co-sponsored with the American Cancer Society). To
learn more about the Wig Program at Bryn Mawr Hospital, or to become a
supporter, contact Michelle Geer a GeerM@mlhs.org.
In addition to the Wig Program, the Women’s Board annually supports the
Comprehensive Breast Center and the Nursing Excellence Fund. The latter
endowment helps the hospital attract many of the region’s most promising
young graduate nurses, while retaining seasoned staff, through such
incentives as educational grants, reimbursement of clinical conference
expenses, purchase of professional journals and texts, flexible work
schedules, competitive salary and benefits, bonus and recognition
programs, and enhancements to the patient care environment.
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Women’s Board
Chairman Cackie Rogers (left) and Vice Chairman
Debbie Cassidy sort articles of gently used
clothing donated to the Thrift Shop.
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Addressing
invitations to “Dining Al Fresco” are Women’s
Board members (seated, from left) Cackie Rogers
and Liz Clothier; (standing) Catsy Michell and
Daphne MacMillan.
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Another program funded by the Women’s Board is the annual Halloween
Candy Exchange hosted by nurses and staff of the inpatient Pediatric
unit. Held in the hospital cafeteria every November 1, the event brings
together dozens of children with diabetes to enjoy music, entertainment
and a healthy and happy Halloween alternative. Rather than discard their
trick or treat candy, the youngsters exchange it for a gift bag filled
with donated toys and gift cards.
Beyond the invaluable roles they fulfill as community ambassadors and
fundraisers, Women’s Board members contribute thousands of hours as
hospital volunteers. Their blue coats can be spotted in the Green Room,
the Gift and Thrift Shops, on the patient floors, at the Information
Desk - in short, everywhere there is a patient, visitor or staff member
who needs a helping hand, a willing spirit and a friendly smile!
Looking ahead, the Women’s Board will soon be sending out invitations to
“Dining Alfresco”, a fun evening combining cocktails, shopping, cooking
demonstration and tasting menu on Thursday, March 15, from 6:30 to 9:00
pm at the Viking Culinary Center in Bryn Mawr. Proceeds of this year’s
event will benefit the BMH Department of Psychiatry. For more
information, contact Julie Hyland at 484-337-8688 or email hylandj@mlhs.org.
