(SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.) The Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) presented its 2013 Auxiliary of the Year Awards to Eastern Long Island Hospital Auxiliary and the Service Auxiliary of Staten Island University Hospital. Awardees were honored at a luncheon ceremony at HANYS’ Annual Institute for Health Care Auxiliaries and Volunteer Leaders in Saratoga Springs on Tuesday.
“Auxilian volunteers across the state contribute countless hours of service to hospitals and help their organizations fulfill their missions, not only in their facilities, but throughout their communities,” said HANYS President Dennis Whalen. “HANYS commends Eastern Long Island Hospital Auxiliary and the Service Auxiliary of Staten Island University Hospital for their tremendous philanthropic efforts and community outreach.”
HANYS established the Auxiliary of the Year Award to recognize the many ways that auxiliaries help strengthen New York State’s health care system. This year the award was presented to two auxiliaries that demonstrated outstanding achievement in community outreach and advocacy, one for an auxiliary to a small health care facility with 100 beds or fewer, and a second award for an auxiliary affiliated with a larger facility with more than 100 beds.
Eastern Long Island Hospital Auxiliary (Small health care facility auxiliary category)
In 1905, Eastern Long Island Hospital (ELIH) Auxiliary helped create the hospital, which is the oldest hospital in Suffolk County and, with 90 beds, is the smallest. The Auxiliary focuses on three goals: interact with the community by sponsoring a car seat safety program, staffing a thrift shop, and participating in the Greenport Farmer’s Market; providing volunteer services in the hospital, such as coordinating blood drives and flu shot events, managing the hospitals’ Junior Volunteer Program and 290 volunteers working 25,000 hours within the hospital; and fundraising activities, including the hospital’s annual golf outing, gala, and Dream Green Extravaganza. The Auxiliary has donated more than $7 million to the hospital since 1972—$350,000 in 2012.
Service Auxiliary of Staten Island University Hospital (large health care facility auxiliary category)
The Service Auxiliary of Staten Island University Hospital continues a 150-year tradition of supporting the hospital through philanthropic efforts. Through special events, raffles, sales, and partnerships with local organizations, the Auxiliary supported construction of the hospital’s Regina M. McGinn, M.D., Education Center; a bereavement garden for parents to grieve a miscarriage or death of a baby; and pledged a $350,000 donation over the next seven years for a new Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center. The Auxiliary worked with the hospital’s outreach team to increase awareness of the hospital’s smoking cessation program, and help search out the underinsured at risk for colorectal cancer and eligible for grant-funded services. After the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, the Auxiliary joined the hospital’s “Adopt a Family” program to raise funds and support employees with a $15,000 contribution. Responding to the hospital’s Women’s Health Initiative, the Auxiliary partnered with women’s organizations at their “A Woman’s Life Journey: Life Management for Healthy Living” conference.
The Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) is the only statewide hospital and continuing care association in New York State, representing 500 non-profit and public hospitals, nursing homes, home care agencies, and other health care organizations.
