From the Museum–History of the DMH Auxiliary
December 6th, 2008 by Sheilla Lampkin“Service” is one of many words that have multiple meanings. However, one of its more important meanings, especially during this holiday “giving” period, is “assistance or benefit afforded another”.
Those few words seem inadequate to describe the many organizations in Drew County that are truly “service” organizations. We are blessed with an abundance of these organizations that truly exist chiefly to assist or benefit others. I wouldn’t attempt to name or list all of these groups lest I get fifty lashes with a wet noodle for omitting one or having different conceptions of one.
However, this week the focus will turn to one particular service group – the Drew Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Although this organization is not as “old” as some others in years, it certainly equals any in service.
The Drew County Hospital Auxiliary was organized on July 18, 1973. At that time the Drew County hospital was located on the large lot where N. Main Street ends on West Jefferson. (Of course, Main Street doesn’t really end there. It just makes an eastward turn before continuing northward.) The late James Hancock was the hospital administrator at that time.
Initially a reported five ladies – Ann Gardner, Carolyn Hancock, Sara Jones, Juanita Moss and Helen Pledger – met that day in the building occupied by Moss & Moss, C.P.A. to discuss forming a support group for the local hospital.
On August 7, 1973, another meeting was held with eight (8) charter members present. They were Velma Bulloch, Margery Chamberlin, Sara Jones, Jan Novak, Mrs. R. A. Patton, Helen Pledger, Egenia Smith, and Ann Gardner. Soon additional ladies began to join.
Through the generosity of the late Bennie Ryburn, the group soon began holding meetings in the Community Room building owned by Commercial Bank.
The first Auxiliary president was Helen Pledger. Subsequent presidents include Terri Muller, Beverly Davis, Velma Bulloch, Jean Mettetal, Joyce Wade, Lucylle Wherry, Norma Hogue, Juanita Moss and Betty Lindsey.
Some of the early duties of the auxiliary members at the old hospital included helping with immunizations of infants; helping in the x-ray and lab departments, operating the gift cart and the juice cart, helping in the emergency room, delivering mail and papers, lighting the Christmas tree and decorating the hospital for holidays.
There was no gift shop at the old Main Street hospital. A gift cart made its rounds twice weekly bearing such items as candy, gum, small gifts and magazines. The first gift shop manager was Elizabeth Anderson. Her successors through the years have included Milbrey Jackson, Ruby Gregory and Betty Collins.
Items for the early gift cart were accumulated through direct purchases, donations and rummage sales. Soon some of the items themselves were returned to a rummage sale to raise funds for the hospital.
The auxiliary’s first such sale held in the former News Press building (now the Echols insurance building on West McCloy) raised funds to purchase patient education materials on such topics as diabetes and high blood pressure.
In 1975 the old hospital was somewhat abandoned when the present day Drew Memorial Hospital was opened. It is said that when the time came to move the pharmacy some auxiliary members packed it into private cars and transported the medicines to the new location on Scogin Drive. The new pharmacy was set up in a small room near the nurses’ station on the southern end of the building.
After the move the Auxiliary began to hold its monthly meetings at the new hospital.
However in 2007 Auxiliary memberships have increased to 40+. The meeting site at the hospital has become too small. Now the Auxiliary meets the first Tuesday every month at the Fellowship Hall of First United Methodist Church on South Main.
Over the past 34 years the Drew Memorial Hospital Auxiliary has grown and prospered. However, their main goals have remained the same: to make the patient’s hospital stay an easier, more pleasant experience and to provide support and help to the hospital staff.
Next week we’ll revisit the Auxiliary and look at arguably the Auxiliary’s greatest contribution to Drew Memorial Hospital. In the meantime, if you have an hour or two a week to serve others, you are invited and encouraged to visit and join the ladies – and men – of the Drew Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.
Choose another article
Newer article: Faulkner Named as Fire Chief
Older article: Friends of the Library Answer Questions about Possible New Library
