Volume 4
WHAT’Snew
Number 9
May 1, 2015
Pennsylvania Hospital
The Pennsylvania Hospital Auxiliary
Labor of Love, Legacy of Support Women have not always received their due credit throughout history, including the history of health care. In this issue of What’s New, we’re celebrating the rich history and legacy of the Pennsylvania Hospital Auxiliary. From the women in 1751 who answered the call to raise donations for the establishment of a new hospital in Philadelphia, to Elizabeth Gardiner, the first matron, women have worked in both central and peripheral roles to advance the success of the nation’s first hospital. A shining example of such work is that of the Pennsylvania Hospital Auxiliary.
The PAH Auxiliary holds the distinction of being the nation’s first hospital auxiliary.
Inside Labor of Love, Legacy of Support Continued............................ 2 PAH Celebrates National Nurses Week......................... 2 Nurses Week Events............................ 2 PAH Turns 264!....................................... 3 Ehrenzeller Award Presentation........ 3 Upholding Excellence........................... 3 GSPP Gala.............................................. 4 Jackie Presley, Beatrice Davis Education Award 2015 Winner........... 4 Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine turns 250........................... 4 Lancaster General Health to Join UPHS.......................................... 4
“Since its founding, Pennsylvania Hospital’s culture has been shaped not only by the physicians and providers who have cared for its patients but also by the thousands of volunteers whose passions for the hospital has helped move forward many of our most pressing strategic priorities,” said Theresa M. Larivee, executive director. “The Auxiliary has been an integral part of that volunteer effort.” Since its establishment in 1752, the Auxiliary has successfully raised millions of dollars which directly served the community, from funding the purchase of medical equipment, supporting counseling services, and providing patient amenities, to expanding social opportunities and providing special patient services at PAH. In 1998, the Auxiliary’s direct support helped establish the hospital’s Women’s Imaging Center. The PAH Auxiliary holds the distinction of being the nation’s first hospital auxiliary. In 1752, a member of the hospital’s Board of Managers agreed to solicit subscriptions from “rich widows and other single women in town to raise funds for drugs.” The response was so generous that an apothecary was established and indigent patients were provided with much-needed medicines. In the years that followed, women were generous donors and labored at PAH in the role of
nursemaid. In the 1820’s, the Board of Assistants for the Internal Management of the Hospital was formed. Its members were charged with visiting and inspecting the wards and departments of the hospital to help propose and initiate improvements. The revised Ladies Committee, established in 1865, held up their agreement with the Board of Managers to only attend to the spiritual needs of the patients. They spent the remainder of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century distributing primarily Christian religious literature to patients, which eventually became more non-denominational. Books in various languages were issued weekly to patients. The Ladies Committee then grew to take on another role, that of social work. Committee members dealt with domestic issues, including the placement of ailing family members. By 1913, a special committee — the Auxiliary of the Social Services Department — was named to assist with social services. As the hospital’s Social Services Department matured, the role of the Auxiliary committee diminished, creating the catalyst for the Auxiliary to operate independently. The first chair of the group was Mrs. E. Walter Clark. Mrs. Clark established the Bargain Shop in 1927 as a source of funds. The name was / / / Continued on page 2
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