Archbold Medical Center| Archives Magazine | Winter 2018

ARCHBOLD.ORG • WINTER 2018 19 SINCE ARCHBOLD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL OPENED in 1925, there has been an active group of local citizens dedicat- ing their time and talents to support the hospital—the Archbold Auxiliary. Originally a volunteer Women’s Board authorized by the Archbold board of trustees to promote and advance the welfare of Archbold Memorial Hospital, the group is now known as the Archbold Auxiliary. Men, women and youth now serve in many areas throughout Archbold’s health system. A rewarding experience The Archbold Auxiliary currently has 76 active members, who volunteer their time in 18 hospital departments. “Our volunteers truly make a differ- ence in our hospital every day,” said Michelle Collins, director of volunteer services at Archbold. “We are fortunate to have them, because they truly love this hospital and donate an enormous amount of their time to support us.” Imogene Conyers, a former vice president of the Archbold Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and a member now in her 20th year of service to the Auxiliary, is an active volunteer who spends her time in the hospital’s gift shop. “I’ve always enjoyed working, helping and mingling with people, so after retiring as a teacher, I still had a desire to work in that vein,” said Conyers. “I knew several retired co-workers who were volunteering at Archbold, and after hearing about their experiences, I knew that I had to start volunteering here too.” Auxiliary volunteers makeadifference Support for students in healthcare Along with serving the hospital, the Archbold Auxiliary awards scholarships to local students who are furthering their education by studying healthcare. In the past 25 years, the Auxiliary has raised over a million dollars for annual scholarships. The scholarship committee comprises Auxiliary mem- bers who review applications and decide on scholarship recipients. “I have enjoyed working with the students and listening to their life goals and expectations as they pre- pare to go into the medical field,” said Conyers. A leader in service The Archbold Auxiliary is part of the Georgia Hospital Association’s Council of Volunteer Services, a statewide associa- tion that is divided into seven districts. Archbold is in the southwest district. And this spring, Archbold will host the Southwest District Spring Meeting. “Our Auxiliary will host 11 other aux- iliaries from our region for their annual district meeting,” said Collins. “We are so fortunate to have a hospital like Archbold in our community and are very excited to show it off. Archbold is always a leader in our region, and this will be an opportunity to highlight our services and facilities.” “Archbold is a wonderful place to work, and volunteering here is so rewarding,” said Conyers. “We get to be a part of something that is so special in our community, and we get to make a difference in the lives of our patients every day.” There’s room for more! Anyone interested and willing to commit four or more hours per week to serve patients, families, visitors and hospital staff is eligible to become an Archbold Auxiliary volunteer. For more information, visit www.archbold.org/auxiliary. Imogene Conyers, who volunteers in the hospital’s gift shop, said that volunteering at Archbold is very rewarding.