Submitted by Carol J. Gaynor, publicity chair
The Auxiliary to United Hospital Center held its 44th annual awards luncheon on April 20 at the Bridgeport Conference Center at Charles Pointe.
Cynthia Campbell, social chair, beautifully decorated the banquet room with ceramic pitchers filled with silk flowers. They were given as door prizes in drawings held at the conclusion of the luncheon. Each place setting also had a pouched key chain filled with lip balm, compliments of the Auxiliary President Sharon Montgomery.
Montgomery welcomed everyone. Rev. Warren Wilson, UHC volunteer chaplain, gave the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Pat Gray, president-elect.
Special guests in attendance were Mike Tillman, president & CEO of UHC; Lora Edgell, director of development at UHC; Nawana Cole, Auxiliary of the West Virginia Hospital Association president; Mary Gargarella, Auxiliary of the West Virginia Hospital Association; Natasha Finley, Auxiliary accountant; Nancy McElroy, UHC accounting; and Shirley Cunningham, UHC human resources. Past Presidents of the Auxiliary to UHC were also introduced. They were Lyda Lister, Helen McCarty, Carole Moodispaugh, and Carol Gaynor.
Pat Gray, with the assistance of Denise Steffich and Scott Griffiths, presented a lovely memorial service during which a candle was lit as the names of each volunteer who had passed away since the Memorial Service last year were read and remembered fondly.
UHC CEO Tillman was introduced. Tillman gave an extremely nice speech, being very complimentary of the Auxiliary. On behalf of the Auxiliary, Montgomery presented Mr. Tillman with a check from the Auxiliary to the hospital in the amount of $60,000.00.
At the conclusion of the awards ceremony, Auxiliary President Sharon Montgomery, presented CEO Mike Tillman with a gift of appreciation for his retirement, also from the auxiliary.
There were drawings for 15 wonderful door prizes, after which the luncheon was adjourned with the Auxiliary Prayer led by Denise Steffich.
