Your Stories: Saint Francis Auxiliary Celebrates a Century of Caring at Annual Meeting
November 2, 2026Categories: Events
On October 21, the Auxiliary of Saint Francis Hospital hosted their 101st Annual Meeting at the Pond House at Elizabeth Park. Organized by Auxiliary Board Members Regina O’Connell and Linda Pendergast, who welcomed the attendees, Auxiliary members and their guests received a blessing by the Very Reverend John P. Melnick, followed by a delicious luncheon and updated information on Auxiliary gifts presented to the hospital throughout the last year.
(L to R) Kim Lumia, MSN, MBA, RN, FACHE, Vice President, Operations; Jana Perry, MSN, RN, Associate Chief Nursing Officer; Tim Stanton, Vice President, Philanthropy; and Susan Joyse, President, Auxiliary of Saint Francis.
Speakers at the luncheon included Susan Joyse, Auxiliary President, who shared the creation of a $100,000 oncology endowment fund in recognition of the Auxiliary’s century of care, support, and service to Saint Francis. The endowment had been previously announced at the Auxiliary’s 100th Anniversary Gala held in the spring.
“We look forward to the growth of the Auxiliary’s Endowed Fund for Oncology and its timeless impact on the Saint Francis Cancer Center and its patients,” said Joyse.
The endowment was included in the ceremonial check for $270,000, which Joyse presented at the luncheon to Saint Francis leadership including Kim Lumia, MSN, MBA, RN, FACHE, Vice President of Operations; Jana Perry, MSN, RN, Associate Chief Nursing Officer; and Tim Stanton, Regional Vice President of Philanthropy.
Also represented in the amount were all the gifts the Auxiliary presented to Saint Francis throughout the last year, including $46,000 to the Women and Infants Department; $37,000 to the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center for a breast biopsy machine; $36,000 to the NICU for ten specialized bassinettes; $19,000 to the Intensive Care Unit for a portable ultrasound machine; $5,000 to the Case Management Department; and $5,000 to the Violence and Injury Prevention Program. Also included were gifts to the Joan C. Dauber Food Pantry and other projects related to wellness in the community.
Joyse noted that total donations made by the Auxiliary of Saint Francis since its founding in 1926 were over $16 million dollars.
“These gifts were achieved through proceeds garnered from the Auxiliary Gift Shops and Repetitions thrift store, numerous fundraisers, membership fees, and donations from members and event sponsors,” she said. “The Auxiliary is truly blessed and grateful for all our generous and dedicated partners, including our devoted Board of Directors.”
Submitted by Cynthia Rockwell, Auxiliary of Saint Francis Hospital.
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