Between Us - Torrance Memorial Medical Center

Torrance Memorial Medical Center
Auxiliary
Between Us
June 2015
Vol. 62
Issue 6
President’s Message 2015
The year is flying by with June aleady here! My first six months as Auxiliary President have
been filled with meetings, special events, my unit responsibilities and meeting many new people
in person and/or by phone. I am enthusiastically enjoying this new role and am excited about the
volunteer outings and celebrations we have planned for the remainder of the year.
Before I move on to summer happenings, Torrance Memorial was honored to have the founders
of the DAISY awards with us on May 5. In 1999, this program began in honor of nurse’s
dedication everywhere. Outstanding nurses are nominated by their peers, physicians, patients
and families monthly, in over 1,900 health care facilities in every state and fourteen countries.
The Healers Touch statue, which was unveiled early last month, now sits in our Auxiliary
Healing Garden reminding us of our DAISY award winners and heroes to those they serve.
Beth Zager
This month is a busy one around campus. June 2 is our next opportunity to all get together for our Auxiliary
Luncheon that Valerie Punzal has planned for us. Summer Safety is the theme with safety tips from the Torrance
Police Department. June 9 is our next restaurant fundraiser at Gaetano’s in Torrance (reservations suggested) and on
July 2 the Hollywood Bowl trip not only features fireworks, but Smokey Robinson! Make your reservations
early.
On a closing note, don’t forget our gift shops for your Father’s Day gifts. They outdid themselves for Mother’s Day
and have unique items just waiting for you!
Beth Zager
Save the Date's
Tuesday, June 9
Gaetano’s Restaurant Fundraiser
Thursday, July 2
Hollywood Bowl
Smokey Robinson
From the Director’s Desk
Mary Matson
In her article, Auxiliary President Beth Zager relates a wonderful occasion in May
when the Healers Touch sculpture was unveiled in the Healing Garden. At this event
during National Nurses Week, I was privileged to introduce Beth representing the
Auxiliary and Gail Long as chairperson of the Auxiliary Healing Garden committee as
they did the honors of unveiling the sculpture. I have noticed that the sculpture has
drawn more people into the Healing Garden to read its inscription and enjoy the
surroundings of this peaceful space in the middle of our campus.
Since the Healing Garden opened in November, I have used it myself on occasion for a
brief respite or to gather my thoughts. Most recently on the anniversary of my father’s
death I was in the midst of a busy day and visiting our various volunteer service areas
Mary Matson
around the hospital when I noticed some personal text messages coming through on
my phone. When I finally had a moment to step away and open them, I saw photos my
brother sent of him and my mother enjoying the sunshine at my father’s gravesite. Needless to say I got a lump
in my throat and quickly realized I was not far from the Healing Garden. I stepped inside to look at the photos,
reply to my siblings, and take a few moments of reflection. I was ready to move on with my day thankful for a
place that I could get away for a moment in the middle of my workplace. Some of you may have used the
Garden for similar purposes, or perhaps our beautiful chapel. I know our patients and families certainly have.
I am so thankful that the Auxiliary chose the Healing Garden for its naming opportunity five years ago. It just
seems like the perfect choice for our volunteers who provide such heartfelt service to Torrance Memorial. You
are in the final year of your $1 million pledge and well on your way to meeting your goal.
Another great place to get away for a moment is the north lobby where you can listen to our wonderful
pianists. I am happy to announce that we will be placing a 2nd piano in our Lundquist Tower grand lobby in
the next few weeks. This is proving to be welcome news for many people who spend time in the grand lobby.
Our pianists will do their best to keep the volume at a therapeutic level for the sake of our patients (and our
information desk volunteers). Now you can enjoy their beautiful music in two locations!
Mary
National Nurses’ Week
Healers Touch Sculpture Ceremony
Page 3
Between Us
Up Close and Personal with your Auxiliary Board members
Krissie Douglas
Started:
2013
Board Position:
Treasurer
Volunteer Position: Lundquist Tower - Grand Lobby Information Desk
Labor and Delivery
1. How were you inspired to become a volunteer? As a full-time mother of three children, I was really
busy. Then, all of the sudden, two of the three kids were driving and off to college, and I found myself with
extra time on my hands. I thought that volunteering at the hospital would be a nice thing to try.
2. What do you enjoy the most about volunteering, and why? I really have enjoyed getting to know the other
volunteers and hospital staff that work on my shifts. I look forward to seeing them every week and catching
up on what’s happening in their lives. They always make me laugh and I really enjoy the friendships I have
developed over the past two years.
3. Describe one of your greatest memories as a volunteer. One day a patient came in to Labor and
Delivery complaining of fever and vomiting. On the standard sign in, some questions had recently been
added to determine if a patient might have Ebola. The young lady had checked the box for having visited
West Africa during the past 3 weeks. The admissions clerk did not seem to notice the response, and asked me
to go ask the nurses which room we should put the patient in, which is standard protocol. When I went to the
nurse’s station, I pointed out that the person had checked the box indicating her recent foreign travel and told
them she was really nauseous and vomiting. Everyone got quite concerned! The lead nurse called the head
nurse who called Infection Control. Then she put on a mask and went to the waiting room to ask the lady
where she had been to in West Africa. As Infection Control was showing up, she replied, “Oh, that was a
mistake. I never went to West Africa. I’m so sorry!”
4. When you're not volunteering, what are some of your favorite things to do? My three kids are now 21,
19 and 15, two in college and one still at home. So, I am still spending a lot of time with them, or visiting
them in college. I play tennis a few days a week, and read and listen to books. I enjoy TV shows like
Scandal, Breaking Bad, and Investigation Discovery shows about true crimes. My husband and I are starting
to travel more often. We love to watch our son at UW play college tennis matches and have gone to watch
the French Open and Wimbledon in recent years. We recently took a trip to Italy to visit my oldest daughter
who was studying abroad
5. An interesting fact that most people don't know about me is. I was a competitive swimmer through
college.
6. What would you tell a person of your peers who was interested in volunteering? This did happen to me
and I told her that you meet a lot of nice people and it’s nice to have a job where you are always appreciated,
so she should do it.
Page 4
Between Us
From the Gift Shop
KINDNESS KORNER
Loraine Edwards-Peterson and I were
walking back from Day Surgery to
Escort, when we saw a woman looking
lost and shaky. We approached the woman and
Loraine asked her if she needed help and we had
her sit down.
The woman came to Torrance Memorial because
she previously had undergone cancer surgery
there, and now she needed a bone scan and a
mammogram. Loraine quickly learned that our
patient was from Guatemala and that she spoke
very little English. Therefore, Loraine began
conversing in the patient's native language - Spanish.
Her paperwork turned out to be a referral to a
diagnostic center elsewhere in Torrance. Loraine
called the diagnostic center for the patient and
found out she did not have an appointment
scheduled. Learning of this and informing the
patient she would need to come back, Loraine arranged a future appointment for this satisfied patient.
In the end, it was clear that the bus trip to Torrance
Memorial wasn’t completely in vain.
Do you remember
“The Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer?”
Hazy and crazy maybe, but certainly not lazy! You
probably have some of the following events already
on your calendar:
Father’s Day – Sunday, June 21
Wedding Showers/Weddings
Graduations
In case you would like to be a little lazy and not
drive yourself crazy, take advantage of some one-stop
shopping at our Gift Shops! We have some fanciful,
beautiful, unusual and thoughtful items for all of the
above occasions. Use the time you save to indulge
yourself with something beautiful for your home or
patio. We are featuring some fabulous wind chimes.
Also take a peak at our 4th of July items! It's not too
far away.
Vibeke Dwyer
Tina Trudnowski – Gift Shop Manager
Have Volunteers Will Travel
Left to Right:
1. Nelson & Beth Zager & granddaughter Kalea at Aulani Disney Resort - Kapolei, Hawaii April, 2015
2. Elena Bruns & Husband Larry at Loreto Mission - Loreto Baja, Mexico April, 2015
3. Carla Zanino & Husband Walter at Ritz Carlton - Half Moon Bay April, 2015
4. Barbara Smith at Taj Mahal, India March, 2015
Page 5
Between Us
June Birthdays
The following volunteers have birthdays in June. During their birthday month, active
volunteers receive a 20 percent discount in the Gift Shop. You only receive the discount
once. So, stop and buy yourself something special. If you have a birthday in June and do not
see your name listed, please contact the Volunteer Services department.
June
1
Srujana Parupalli
1
Dani Lee
1
Ethel Mercer
1
June Tong
2
Paula DiFiore
2
Jeanine Pagarigan
2
Yaeko Tanaka
2
Lori Stamatelatos
3
Susan Shultz
3
Alyssa Soliz
3
Susan Underwood
3
Allen Scarpetti
3
Betty Shankman
3
Tom Robinson
4
Bobbie White
4
Tracy Isenberg
4 * Jean Calhoun
4
Karen Cutler
5
Laura Avendano
6 * Barbara Renken
6 * Inga Lurie
6
6
6
8
8
9
9
9
9
9
9
10
10
10
10
10
10
11
11
12
12
Carolyn Lockyear
* Charles "Lee" Brady
* Patricia DeRudder
Marti Nordskog
Evelyn Schulz
Kathy Meyer
Diana Morino
* Patricia Au
Yukiko Toyoda
Kristine Douglas
Zsarina Marero
* Patricia Gardner
* Barbara Mendenhall
Lea Anthony
Pamela Bryson
Judy Smith
Alyssa Yim
Sobem Okeke
Rachel Goldman
Anthony White
Esther Silverberg
12
13
14
15
15
15
15
15
16
16
16
16
18
18
19
19
19
21
21
22
22
Alice Brechin
* Dottie Riley
Marianne Brooks
Dina Gample
Karen Hara
* Gerri Stoodley
Daniel Diederich
* Muriel Vallely
* Alice Diego-Malit
* Lynne Hurley
* Patricia Spirit White
Kathy Dickey
Christine Vuong
Donna Cohen
Linda Rodrick
Susan Morgan
* Angela Fischer
Anita Nedleman
Erin Quintero
Laurie Anderson
Michelle Olenick
23
23
23
23
24
24
24
25
25
25
25
26
27
28
28
28
28
29
29
30
30
Stan Yocum
Gary Stuart
Bob Hernandez
Kathy McHugh
Brian Kowighadoush
Jacqueline Paliungas
* Cathy Zhang
Judy Jordan
Bobbie Callen
William Ramirez
* Debora Lem
Judy Sipes
Charles Colaianni
Sandra Perry
* Susie Sam
Kaoru Ichikawa
Connie Campa
Beverly Fridley
Martin Fox
Beverly Bailey
* Debbie Uba
*Inactive Volunteers
Condolences
Our love and thoughts go out to Diana Morino on the passing of her beloved mother. Diana volunteers on
Wednesdays in Escort Services.
Page 6
Between Us
Pechanga Proves 2 B A Popular Get-a-way
On Tuesday, April 14th an enthusiastic group of forty-eight volunteers and friends left the Torrance Memorial
parking lot headed to Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula. Besides going for some rest and relaxation
(R&R), many wanted to try their luck at the big paying slots, strategic card games and the fast moving dice
table. Some came back as winners and some came back as not-so winners, but everyone came back with a smile
on their face! Another successful trip to Pechanga, it was!
ATTENTION ALL VOLUNTEERS!
We are attempting to locate any active volunteers that are 90 years young and/or anyone born at the original
Torrance Memorial Hospital location at 1425 Engracia Avenue in downtown Torrance. We would like you to
help us celebrate Torrance Memorial’s 90th birthday at a special luncheon on September 8, 2015. Please
contact Beth Zager at (310) 316-0688 for all the details.
Page 7
Between Us
Torrance Memorial Clowns Win Parade Trophy
Our Torrance Memorial Clowns on Rounds
participated in the annual Lawndale Youth Parade
and took home the trophy for “Best Float!”
Participating this year were Priscilla “Twinkle Toes”
Streisand, Bobbie “Poka Doc” Adler, and Janet
“Tiny Bubble” Hironaka, with special
assistance from Janet’s husband who converted his
truck into a pirate ship! Congratulations!
Volunteer Week Recognition Brunch Moments
Auxiliary
3330 Lomita Blvd., Torrance, CA 90505
Return Service Requested
June 2015
SUN
MON
TUE
1
7
8
Auxiliary Board
Meeting; 9:30 a.m.;
WT, Room D
14
21
15
22
WED
Auxiliary Luncheon and
General Meeting;
11 a.m., HCC 1&2
Gaetano’s
Restaurant
Fundraising
Adult Volunteer
Orientation; 5 p.m.;
WT– Aud
29
Newsletter Copying
31
FRI
4
Bingo 2 p.m. - Media Svcs
9
SAT
5
6
Sewing, 9 a.m. , HCC 4
10
11
12
13
17
18
19
20
26
27
Bingo 2 p.m. - Media Svcs
16
Adult Volunteer
Orientation; 5 p.m.;
WT– Aud
Bingo 2 p.m. - Media Svcs
24
23
Student Orientation;
5 p.m., WT– Aud
28
THURS
3
2
Bingo 2 p.m. - Media Svcs
Student Orientation;
5 p.m., WT– Aud
30
25
Clown Mtg: 9:30 a.m.
WT-C
Sewing, 9 a.m. , HCC 4