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WVU Medicine Camden Clark Auxiliary contributes $70K to hospital

Volunteers gather for first luncheon since 2019

By Evan Bevins 3 min read

PARKERSBURG -- WVU Medicine Camden Clark's Auxiliary marked its 70th anniversary Tuesday by donating more than $70,000 back to the hospital the volunteers serve.

Members of the Auxiliary gathered for their annual meeting and luncheon at the Nemesis Shrine Center for the first time since 2019.

Canceled the last two years because of COVID-19, the event is a celebration of the volunteers and the time when the group announces its contributions from funds raised by operating the hospital gift shop and special sales throughout the year.

"We are grateful for those donations and how they're impacting our patient care and services," said Janice Midcap, chief experience officer for Camden Clark. "We all have choices, and you all make the choice to give of yourselves."

The contribution includes funds for lifting equipment for rehabilitation services, "which not only keeps our patients safe, but it keeps our caregivers safe," Midcap said. The money will also provide transportation equipment for ambulance services, additional scholarship resources and support for Hospital Week activities.

Noting the serendipity of a $70,000-plus donation on the 70th anniversary of the group, hospital CEO Steve Altmiller joked that he wished it was the Auxiliary's 120th year. He thanked the group not only for the financial contributions but the services they provide.

"You are part of our health care team. Thank you so much," he said.

The contributions included a trio of $2,500 scholarships to area college students pursuing degrees in the medical field. All three are working or have worked for the hospital.

∫ Courtney Greathouse works as a patient care tech at the hospital while majoring in nursing at West Virginia University at Parkersburg.

∫ Allison Morris is majoring in pharmacy at WVU and has been an intern at the hospital.

∫ Brittany Root is a nurse in the hospital's behavioral health unit and is in the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program through the online Walden University and will do her practicum at Camden Clark.

"It's my passion," said Root, who has been with the hospital for 11 years. "I love what I do. I love the patients I work with."

Altmiller said the scholarships are very much needed, noting the worker shortfalls the hospital is facing.

"The industry's still upside down," he said. "We are spending more money on travelers (traveling nurses) than capital projects."

The pandemic forced the hospital's volunteers off-site for a year, said Margie Reed, auxiliary/volunteer manager. While some have been back for more than a year, longtime volunteer Cindy Fouse is not among them.

"But I think I'm coming back to start it again," she said at the luncheon.

Fouse amassed 19,929 volunteer hours over 28 years, many of them buying items for and operating the candy cart. Her daughter Michelle helped her with that for years as well.

"It's fun," Fouse said. "And not only that, you're helping other people too."

Cindy and Michelle Fouse were warmly greeted by volunteer Anna Swisher, who now works with the candy cart. She told them how much they've been missed and how folks often ask about them.

"I love doing it," Swisher said of her volunteer efforts. "You get to meet people. You get to know them one on one."

***

To Volunteer

* Marty Booth, chairwoman and buyer for the WVU Medicine Camden Clark gift shop, said the all-volunteer operation is always looking for new folks to help out.

* Those interested can reach out to Auxiliary/Volunteer Manager Margie Reed at 304-424-2847.

Starting at /week.