HOULTON, Maine — At the Auxiliary’s recent annual meeting Elizabeth Dulin, foundation executive director, outlined to the group the scope of the newest campaign in support of hospital needs, which resulted in an Auxiliary vote to support this current fundraising campaign.
Members heard the description of a multi-faceted campaign in which Phase I will focus on three pieces of new equipment. A coagulation instrument for the laboratory to perform testing that will evaluate patients for bleeding abnormalities, monitoring anticoagulant therapy (coumadin and heparin) and checking patients for blood clots.
Another new piece is a Fuji Synapse System for radiology enabling the radiologist to read off the computer monitors in his office any studies done within the department. This system also has the ability to send images over the Internet to other facilities for reading.
The new medical records Fusion Voice Dictation System will provide an upgraded dictation management solution to automate dictation tasks, provide easy-to-use, flexible applications that will be customizable to the needs of Houlton Regional.
The auxiliary will let the foundation decide where this gift will be the best fit for the campaign needs.
“The auxiliary has, over the years, become a significant supporter of foundation efforts, helping Foundation projects to date for a total of $98,000,” Dulin said. “Now that is saying a lot for a little gift shop here in Houlton, Maine, and we are truly grateful to them. Their generous donations have played a big part in the overall success of our fundraising efforts. In order to stay true to the foundation’s mission of ‘Supporting Excellence in Health Care,’ we rely solely on donor support and when it comes to the auxiliary generosity defines that organization.”
The hospital gift shop located in the lobby at Houlton Regional is the prime source of income for the auxiliary and is managed by a group of dedicated volunteers. This shop presents all kinds of varied items that may be purchased by hospital employees and those visiting the facility. Other fundraisers such as the May Fudge Sale and the Christmas Tree of Love help to add to the auxiliary’s income.
“They never tire of doing what is needed and all they do makes a big difference for all we do. In an almost gentle way they shake the world because each time they give to support the challenges we face in healthcare fundraising, a life may be saved, someone’s health may be made better and what greater gift can any one of us hope to receive. This small group of dedicated individuals has a very big presence in our little corner of the world,” Dulin said.
