Torrance Memorial Medical Center Auxiliary Between Us The Healing Garden September 2014 Vol. 61 Issue 9 President’s Message 2014 Have you heard? Torrance Memorial has been ranked as one of the best hospitals for 2014-15 in California and the Los Angeles metro area for the third straight year by U.S. News & World Report, placing the hospital in the top 6 percent in the state. Also, Torrance Memorial received the 2014 “Winning Workplaces” award among large businesses in the South Bay as the result of a recent reader survey conducted by the Daily Breeze. In addition to winning “Best Overall Company to Work For”, it also received recognition for “Best Workplace Culture,” “Most Pride Within the Organization” and “Best Overall Leadership”—all within the 200+ employees category. Torrance Memorial was also named “Best Hospital to Work For” and “Best Healthcare Company to Work For.” What a great place to be. Although we are not "paid "employees, we also share this honor as "We" are an important and integral part of this great organization. Not only is Torrance Memorial a great place to work, it's a great place to volunteer. We had another adult volunteer orientation on July 16 and 18 with a wonderful group of over 50 new volunteers. I love to attend orientations. It is always enjoyable to meet new volunteers, get to know them, learn why they volunteer and why they chose to volunteer at Torrance Memorial. It is also nice to see the Auxiliary Board Members come together as one team as we introduce our Auxiliary to the new members. In the next few weeks or months, you will see a lot of new faces in their new “Blue Jackets" with the "in training" name tag. Say hello to them and make them feel welcome! On August 18, we had a restaurant fund raiser at Gaetano's in Torrance. Thanks go to Donna Cohen for organizing this. Gaetano's has been voted as one of the best restaurants in the South Bay for many years. Their food was so yummy. My family and friends enjoyed it very much. All those who went had a great time. Over 50 of our Auxiliary members, families and friends went to the "Pageant of the Masters" in Laguna Beach on August 25. We boarded our coach at 4:00 p.m. and did not return until 11:00 p.m. My parents-in-law were visiting us from Canada to celebrate my father-in-law’s 90th birthday. I took them along with my daughter and husband and we had such a great time. They were amazed by the show as they had not seen anything like this kind of show before. Good job Lindsay Imwalle for planning this fantastic event. Mark your calendars and save the date for the upcoming Auxiliary trip to Laughlin. The two-night, three-day trip is scheduled for October 19-21. If you haven't been on one of these trips, I hope you will join us this time. We have a lot of fun. By the time this newsletter is published, I believe most of us will have already attended the Lundquist Tower Volunteer Orientation. "Wow" is the only word I can think of at this moment. What a beautiful building. Our attention-grabbing new Gift Shop, which is located right in the grand lobby, will soon be ringing up sales helping to support the Healing Garden. Happy Labor Day! I hope you have enjoyed the summer and are ready for all the excitement as we count down the days to the official Grand Opening of the Lundquist Tower. Schola Tsai Schola Tsai Save The Date! Gift Shop Loyalty Appreciation Sale Monday, September 8 - Sunday, September 14 40% off all boutique items Marie Callender's Fundraiser Event October 16, 2014.
Transcript
Torrance Memorial Medical Center Auxiliary
Between Us The Healing Garden
September 2014 Vol. 61 Issue 9
President’s Message 2014
Have you heard? Torrance Memorial has been ranked as one of the best hospitals for 2014-15 in California and the Los Angeles metro area for the third straight year by U.S. News & World Report, placing the hospital in the top 6 percent in the state. Also, Torrance Memorial received the 2014 “Winning Workplaces” award among large businesses in the South Bay as the result of a recent reader survey conducted by the Daily Breeze. In addition to winning “Best Overall Company to Work For”, it also received recognition for “Best Workplace Culture,” “Most Pride Within the Organization” and “Best Overall Leadership”—all within the 200+ employees category. Torrance Memorial was also named “Best Hospital to Work For” and “Best Healthcare Company to Work For.” What a great place to be. Although we are not "paid "employees, we also share this honor as "We" are an important and integral part of this great organization. Not only is Torrance Memorial a great place to work, it's a great place to volunteer. We had another adult volunteer orientation on July 16 and 18 with a wonderful group of over 50 new volunteers. I love to attend orientations. It is always enjoyable to meet new volunteers, get to know them, learn why they volunteer and why they chose to volunteer at Torrance Memorial. It is also nice to see the Auxiliary Board Members come together as one team as we introduce our Auxiliary to the new members. In the next few weeks or months, you will see a lot of new faces in their new “Blue Jackets" with the "in training" name tag. Say hello to them and make them feel welcome! On August 18, we had a restaurant fund raiser at Gaetano's in Torrance. Thanks go to Donna Cohen for organizing this. Gaetano's has been voted as one of the best restaurants in the South Bay for many years. Their food was so yummy. My family and friends enjoyed it very much. All those who went had a great time. Over 50 of our Auxiliary members, families and friends went to the "Pageant of the Masters" in Laguna Beach on August 25. We boarded our coach at 4:00 p.m. and did not return until 11:00 p.m. My parents-in-law were visiting us from Canada to celebrate my father-in-law’s 90th birthday. I took them along with my daughter and husband and we had such a great time. They were amazed by the show as they had not seen anything like this kind of show before. Good job Lindsay Imwalle for planning this fantastic event. Mark your calendars and save the date for the upcoming Auxiliary trip to Laughlin. The two-night, three-day trip is scheduled for October 19-21. If you haven't been on one of these trips, I hope you will join us this time. We have a lot of fun. By the time this newsletter is published, I believe most of us will have already attended the Lundquist Tower Volunteer Orientation. "Wow" is the only word I can think of at this moment. What a beautiful building. Our attention-grabbing new Gift Shop, which is located right in the grand lobby, will soon be ringing up sales helping to support the Healing Garden. Happy Labor Day! I hope you have enjoyed the summer and are ready for all the excitement as we count down the days to the official Grand Opening of the Lundquist Tower.
Schola Tsai
Schola Tsai
Save The Date! Gift Shop Loyalty Appreciation Sale
Monday, September 8 - Sunday, September 14 40% off all boutique items
Marie Callender's Fundraiser Event
October 16, 2014.
From the Director’s Desk Mary Matson
By the time you read this article, all active hospital volunteers will have had the opportunity to attend an orientation to the new Lundquist Tower and go on a tour of the building. A common word I heard on the tours was, “Wow!” I agree. There is a real “wow” factor to everything about the Lundquist Tower. This includes the state-of-the art structure and patient rooms, the layout of each floor, high-tech surgery and radiology areas, patient-centered Admitting/Pre-testing department, family-friendly waiting areas and lounges, beautiful artwork throughout, impressive café, and of course our wonderful new gift shop.
Also invoking “wow” is the seemingly overwhelming process of creating, staffing, and learning new volunteer service areas and duties. As mentioned at the orientation, volunteers can expect to receive additional information and training on new service areas as well as new and changing processes for other positions, including Escort Services duties, because of the new tower.
Many of you have signed up to transition to one of our new service areas. As I write this we are finalizing service descriptions and volunteer shift schedules in preparation for upcoming in-service training sessions. We are in the process of contacting volunteers to confirm placement and shift schedule. We want everyone – whether serving in a new area or continuing in your position – to feel comfortable and well prepared for your volunteer position when the Lundquist Tower opens in November. Please be watching your email, our website, sign-in kiosk messages, and BetweenUs for ongoing information.
I realize some of our readers are Auxiliary members who are retired or otherwise inactive Torrance Memorial volunteers and therefore have not attended a tour of the hospital. Rest assured you will have an opportunity to attend a tour of the hospital at our Grand Opening public events later this month (tour reservations required; see announcement on page three). In addition, all Auxiliary members are welcome to a private dedication of the Auxiliary Healing Garden on September 19 at 5:00 p.m.
Lastly, I want to thank all volunteers for attending the orientation sessions and future activities that prepare volunteer support for the new tower. Our patients and community can rest assured that we will be “ready to go” on day one thanks to your efforts and attitude of service. I also want to thank all volunteers who have stepped up to help us prepare for the transition by acting as tour guide docents for orientation sessions; participating in Day in the Life (see page three); helping at upcoming celebratory events; providing cheer from dogs, clowns, and musicians for public events; preparing for our new gift shop; and other invaluable assistance. We can’t thank you enough!
Mary
Volunteers attend Lundquist Tower orientation and tour in August
Mary Matson
Page 3 Between Us
Lundquit Tower Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting and Dedication
Friday, September 19, 2014 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. — 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Tours and Refreshments
Saturday, September 20, 2014 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
11 a.m. - Dedication, Ribbon Cutting, Remarks Register On-line, visit www.TorranceMemorial.org/tours to reserve a tour of the new Lundquist Tower or
call 310-517-4711.
What is “Day in the Life”?
Volunteers heard about Day in the Life (DITL) events during Lundquist Tower orientation sessions. Occurring three times in August, September, and October, these important practice sessions allow hospital staff to work through patient care scenarios to test out our new hospital environment and important patient care processes. Some of our volunteers assisted with monitoring corridors for DITL #1 or acted as mock patients to make these scenarios as real as possible. Hospital staff from throughout the organization learned a lot from the first DITL and will do it again for the second on September 10 and the final session on October 8. If you are interested in participating, please contact the volunteer office. We will know exact needs as these dates approach.
Pat Carlson as a mock patient for Day in the Life #1
Abdul, Nada Castro, Victoria Chin, Julie Ciano, Taylor Crawley, Katharine Fa’atagi, David Fujimoto, Cora Gainer, Hannah Galosic, Georgia Garcia, Maria Gonzales, April Gonzales, Rachelle Ann Greenberg, Rebekah
In July we hosted another big group of volunteers at orientation. Please give a warm Auxiliary welcome to:
Moreno-Saenz, Adela Nguyen, Nathan Ocegueda, Grecia Ommen, Darlene Patton, Linda Petryshyn, Lauren Purcella, Serena Rendon, Ivan Rivera, Frenie Ross, Jo Ann Sasada, Jo Ann Sato, Ann Schulz, Evelyn
Schwarzberg, Leona Sewell, Marti Sharma, Nitga Sohn, Jihwa Sulkowski, Amy Tawa, Candice Tong, Jenna Tran, Hanh Trudnowski, Kim Wallace, Laura Wasfi, Abeir Weintraub, Constance Will, Julia Zinkiewicz, Terri
Page 4 Between Us
From the Gift Shop
Because you mean so much to us, the Gi Shop is having a
LOYALTY APPRECIATION SALE!
Monday, September 8th ‐ Sunday, September 14th
40% OFF ALL BOUTIQUE ITEMS
Including but not limited to Sunglasses/Reading glasses, gift bags, and Yankee Candles, (including House & Car
Deodorizers).
Come on by so we can say THANK YOU!
Jeannine Frandsen Spirit White Co-Manager Co-Manager
Thank You Dear Auxiliary, Your kind note of condolence and beautiful azalea plant arrived on Wednesday. Please give my thanks to the Auxiliary and Administration and tell them how much I appreciate their thoughtfulness. With Affection, Elaine Potampa
Condolences
We extend our deepest condolences to Maria Angela Gonzalez on the passing of her brother. Maria Angela volunteers in 5N Med-Surg.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of former volunteer and current Auxiliary Member, Nell Drummond. Nell volunteered for over eight years in the Cardiology Department and was a past member of the Auxiliary Board.
Our love and thoughts go to Lorne Wilton on the passing of his brother, Robert. Lorne volunteers in Escort Services.
We extend our sincere love and condolences to Dorothy Thompson whose husband, Joe, passed away recently. Joe Thompson was a volunteer for over sixteen years, including Patient Representative and was our first pet visitation volunteer with Goldie. Dorothy is the Escort Chairperson on Wednesday for our high school students.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Erin Mataalii-Quintero whose brother passed away. Erin joined our volunteer program in July 2014.
Have Volunteers Will Travel
Gail and Rick Long Elena and Larry Bruns
September Birthdays The following volunteers have birthdays in September. During their birthday month, active volunteers receive a 20 percent discount in the Gift Shop. You only receive the discount once during your birthday month. So, stop and buy yourself something special. If you have a birthday in September and do not see your name listed, please contact the Volunteer Services department.
For those of you who did not attend our fundraiser at Chili's in June, you certainly missed a fun time with good food and great friends and families. Our Auxiliary is happy to announce that the fundraiser made $230. All monies received go to the Healing Garden fund. We appreciate all your support. See you at the next fundraiser! Irene Goldman 1st VP Hospital Services
Page 7 Between Us
Luminaries, NOVAs & Torrance Memorial: A Partnership of Service
The Luminaries began in 1990 with a small group of women from the Palos Verdes Peninsula wanting to support Torrance Memorial Medical Center with their time and fundraising efforts, as well as foster the volunteer spirit in youth though NOVAs. Children of active Luminaries can join NOVAs, a high school volunteer program, allowing students to gain valuable experience through volunteering as patient escorts in the hospital, as well as helping outside the hospital at special events. Luminaries are members of the Torrance Memorial Auxiliary. Nearly 25 years later, today’s Luminaries and NOVAs work closely with Volunteer Services to support TMMC events including the Honda Food and Wine Festival, and Cancer Survivor’s Dinner. Assisting with the Reproductive Center Reunion is also an annual event. Throughout the year, Luminaries assist women experiencing the effects of chemotherapy with complimentary scarves and hats through the Woman to Woman program, as well as collect gently used clothes for patients in the Emergency Room. NOVAs meet monthly to make tray favors, blankets and cough pillows for patients, decorate the Pediatric Ward, as well as bake for various TMMC events. Together, Luminaries and NOVAs host the annual Santa’s Lunch for Torrance Memorial employees and their families where children can enjoy face painting, holiday crafts, and photos with Santa. Each membership year, Luminaries and NOVAs dedicate a minimum of 50 and 30 hours, respectively, to TMMC. The majority of members far exceed the minimum service hours required to remain an active member of their organization. With membership at nearly 80 Luminaries and 70 NOVAs, over 6,000 volunteer hours are served each year. The year culminates with a donation of items to various TMMC wards including the Burn Unit, NICU, and Pediatrics and has totaled over $200,000 over the years.
SAVE THE DATE Here Comes the Show
Our next Auxiliary luncheon will be the Gift Shop Fashion Show on Thursday, October 30, 2014. There will be wonderful fashions modeled by gift shop volunteers, a great lunch and plenty of door prizes. Guests are always welcome and the price of $15.00 per person couldn't be better. So don't forget to mark your calendar for October 30, 2014. Look for the Fashion Show Flyer that will be included in the October Newsletter. Hoping to see you there!
