Friday, June 2, 2017

6th Annual PEI Healthcare Auxiliary Appreciation Day

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Auxiliary hosted another interesting and successful PEIAHA meeting on April 29, which coincided with the annual PEI Healthcare Auxiliary Appreciation Day. Representatives from our five auxiliaries came from east and west to share ideas and information, and to strengthen friendships and alliances.
Meeting and Greeting
PEIAHA President Dorothy Johnston welcomed everyone to the meeting and set the stage for an informative morning. President Johnston introduced her executive. They have all been doing a wonderful job of running our organization.
  • Dorothy Johnston, president
  • Nancy Coughlin, secretary
  • Solange Malenfant, treasurer
  • Doreen Wooder, past-president and archivist
President Dorothy Johnston
President Dorothy Johnston, Secretary Nancy Coughlin, Treasurer Solange Malenfant
We were very privileged to have the Premier of Prince Edward Island, the Hon. Wade MacLauchlan, address our group. Premier MacLauchlan acknowledged the important role that healthcare auxiliaries have played in our facilities and communities.
Premier MacLauchlan being thanked by President Dorothy Johnston
Guest speakers from Health PEI - Denise Lewis Fleming, (Chief Operating Officer), and Amanda Hamel, (Communications Officer) -  shared useful information. Charlottetown MP Sean Casey spoke about the plans for celebrating Canada's sesquicentennial. After a member asked about memorabilia, Mr. Casey returned with a bag of "Canada 150" pins and flags!
MP Sean Casey
After an interesting morning, we made our way to the cafeteria, where once again the QEH food service staff served a delicious lunch to our group. Beautiful tulips on the table gave a lovely spring note to the festivities.
White Linen, Beautiful Tulips
Door Prize Time
Checking the goodies!
 Renowned Island musician Kendall Docherty and friend supplied some great music for listening...
Kendall Docherty and Friend
Captive audience
...and dancing!
Dance party!

On the way back to our meeting room, a quick tour was given of the new playground equipment purchased by the QEH Auxiliary for the pediatric unit.
Great advice on some hallway artwork
New playground
Inclusive Swing

Back the at meeting room, each auxiliary gathered for photos.
Kings County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary
Prince County Hospital Auxiliary
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Auxiliary
Stewart Memorial Healthcare Auxiliary

Western Hospital Auxiliary
After our business meeting concluded, the inaugural Comfort and Hope Awards were presented. Susan Cameron, Prince County Hospital Auxiliary, came up with the idea for this award, to be presented annually to "recognize and celebrate the efforts of our healthcare auxiliaries to provide for needs within their facility, or for a particular section or group of patients of the facility, in any capacity except that of purchasing medical equipment."

The recipients were the Prince County Hospital Auxiliary, who have made and distributed 400 sets of cushions to help breast cancer patients following surgery.  Read more about this project in a CBC PEI article.
PCH Auxiliary receiving Comfort and Hope Award from President Dorothy Johnston
Prince County Hospital Auxiliary
Comfort And Hope Award
The meeting adjourned. It was a great day full of good discussion, useful information and mutual support. The next meeting will be held at the QEH on October 28, 2017.