The 2013-2014 Winona Health Auxiliary Carol Hill Scholarship committee has awarded $23,000 in scholarships to 17 students, all of whom have been accepted into an accredited healthcare program.

Scholarship funds are raised through Auxiliary fundraising events including the Birthday Ball, Book Sales, Victorian Tea, Fantasy of Trees, Garage Sale and Holiday Happiness, along with sales from the Glady D. Miller Gift Shop. Since the Auxiliary awarded its first nursing scholarship in 1962, more than $540,000 has been awarded.

The Winona Health Auxiliary is pleased to help these students as they begin their education in healthcare or as they work toward completing their healthcare program.

Congratulations to the 2013-2014 Winona Health Auxiliary Carol Hill Scholarship recipients:

Angela Bambenek, Winona State University, Winona, Minn.

Nicole Beyer, Viterbo University, La Crosse, Wis.

Cassie Boddy, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, N.D.

Allison Gernes, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, N.D.

Erin Hanson, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minn.

Heather Kauphusman, Winona State University, Winona, Minn.

Carrie King, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis.

Chancey Klein, Winona State University, Winona, Minn.

Rebecca Lamberty, University of Phoenix Online, Phoenix, Ariz.

Shantal Maharaj, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minn.

Lisa McCabe, Winona State University, Rochester, Minn.

Kelsi Mueller, Rochester Community & Technical College, Rochester, Minn.

Katrina Quinn, Winona State University, Winona, Minn.

Monica Siegfried, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, Wis.

Sarah Spiten, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minn.

Linda Sturm, Minnesota State College Southeast Technical, Winona, Minn.

Anna Suhr, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis.

The scholarship committee members are: Kris Cichon, Winona Health director of Inpatient Services; Madonna Daley, MN SE Tech Nursing Department; Nancy Enochs, Winona Health Auxiliary president; Denise Erickson, Winona Health RN Lake Winona Manor; Sheryl Miller, Winona Health Auxiliary president-elect; Maureen Gerson, Winona State University Nursing Department; and Marie Fidler, Winona Health Foundation/Volunteer Services.

Anyone wishing more information about the Winona Health Auxiliary or becoming a volunteer can contact Winona Health’s Volunteer Services office at 507.474.3328.

The Winona Health Auxiliary offers a free program to help individuals document their wishes regarding healthcare services so their families will be informed when necessary.

The next free program about Healthcare Directives will be Monday, May 20, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the Winona Health Parkview Conference Room on the hospital first floor, 855 Mankato Avenue in Winona.

The primary purpose of a Healthcare Directive is to allow individuals to retain control over their care, even after losing the ability to speak on their own behalf. All individuals age 18 and older are encouraged to complete a Healthcare Directive. Trained and certified Winona Health Auxiliary volunteers will facilitate this program with participants using authorized forms. The session will cover both Minnesota and Wisconsin Healthcare Directives.

A follow-up session will be held at the same time in the same location, Monday, June 3. This is an opportunity for individuals who have attended the informational to get assistance in completing their personal directive or to have a Healthcare Directives facilitator review a completed directive.

These sessions are free and open to the public. No advanced registration is required.

Auxiliary volunteers are also available to give group presentations in the community about making their wishes known through a Health Care Directive. If you have questions about the program, please call 507.474.3328.

The Victorian Tea, sponsored by the Winona Health Auxiliary, will be Saturday, May 11 at the historic Great Hall, 175 E. Wabasha Street, adjacent to Senior Living at Watkins.

With two seatings available, 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., the Victorian Tea raises funds for Auxiliary projects, including healthcare-related scholarships and enhancing the healing environment at Winona Health.

“Each year, little girls dress up in their Sunday best— becoming little princesses for the day—and attend the Tea with their mothers and grandmothers,” said Kathy Turner, Victorian Tea publicity chair. “A special menu is prepared for the children, including Frankies in a Blanket, Chocolate-dipped Strawberry, Fresh Fruit Bowl, Petite Cheesecake, Heart-shaped Ham Sandwich and other delectable delights.”

There also will be an adult menu which includes Lemon Curd Tarts, Chocolate-dipped Strawberries and assorted sweet and savory items.

Chances will be sold for a beautiful hand-crafted quilt which was donated by a Winona Health volunteer, and door prizes will be given away at each seating.

Tickets for the Victorian Tea are $16 each and are available in the Glady Miller Gift Shop in the hospital lobby at Winona Health, 855 Mankato Avenue in Winona.

If you have questions about the Tea, please call 507.474.3328.

The Winona Health Auxiliary invites community members to vote on this year’s HealingScapes™ photo competition entries beginning Monday, April 22 through Friday, May 17.

Photos are on display at Winona Health in hallway connecting the hospital and clinic. Photos can be viewed and voted on Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 to 11:30 a.m. between April 22 and May 17.

Entries will be judged on technical excellence, composition, overall impact and artistic merit. Winning entries will be judged by the popular vote of the community, photographers, Winona Health staff and also by a panel of professional judges. Winning entries will be framed and placed in specially selected areas of Winona Health and include information about the photographer and location of the photograph.

The winning photographs will be announced at the end of May. All entries will be acknowledged at a special event held on Thursday, June 27 at Winona Health. The event will be sponsored by the Winona Health Auxiliary and include a live auction of the winning photographs. HealingScapes co-chairs are Winona Health Auxiliary volunteers Pat Nolan and Kim Schwab.

For more information about the HealingScapes Community Reception and Silent Auction, call the Winona Health Community Engagement Department at 507.474.3328.

The Winona Health Auxiliary volunteers are seeking donated items for their upcoming garage sale. Donations of quality items would be much appreciated. However, please NO clothing or electronics such as televisions or computers.

Volunteers will collect items in the Winona Health parking ramp Tuesday, April 30 through Thursday, May 2 from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.

The Auxiliary’s garage sale, held in conjunction with the 100-mile garage sale, will be in the Winona Health parking ramp, 855 Mankato Avenue during the following times:

Friday, May 3: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Saturday, May 4: 7 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Proceeds from the event go toward Auxiliary projects including healthcare scholarships and to enhance the healing environment for Winona Health patients. For more information, call the Winona Health Community Engagement Department at 507.474.3328.

Winona Health Auxiliary’s annual Victorian Tea will be Saturday, May 11, in the beautiful Watkins Great Hall, 175 E. Wabasha Street, Winona. Tickets are $16 at the Glady D. Miller Gift Shop in the Winona Health hospital lobby at 855 Mankato Ave.

The Victorian Tea, an elegant event which has become a traditional Mother’s Day celebration for mothers, daughters, granddaughters and friends, raises funds for Winona Health Auxiliary projects, including healthcare scholarships and enhancing the healing environment for Winona Health patients.

Tickets are available for the 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. seatings. Rose tea, punch and a variety of afternoon tea treats, including lemon curd tarts, chocolate-dipped strawberries and various sandwiches and sweets will be served. A special children’s menu also is available.

Flowers arranged in colorful teapots will be available for sale, along with chances to win a beautiful, handcrafted quilt. Door prizes will be drawn at each seating.

Choose your favorite hat and get your tickets early. Tickets go fast and the event is usually a sellout. Tickets are $16 at the Glady D. Miller Gift Shop in the Winona Health hospital lobby at 855 Mankato Ave. If questions, please call 507.474.3328.

The annual meeting of the Winona Health Auxiliary was held on Thursday, January 17, at Signatures. Officers were elected, service chairs were appointed and awards were presented to individuals who had achieved milestone levels of service hours ranging from 100 hours to 9,500 hours.

“I am so proud to be a member of this organization,” said Nancy Enochs, Auxiliary president, during her welcoming comments. “Our members work every day, in so many ways, to serve Winona Health and our community. Winona Health volunteers serve with dedication, kindness, and creativity, and are known for always having a smile to share.” 

Enochs presented Rachelle Schultz, Winona Health president/CEO, with a check for $55,000, which will be used to enhance the healing environment for patients at Winona Heath. In addition, $3,000 was given for projects to benefit residents at Winona Health’s Senior Living at Watkins, Roger Metz, Adith Miller and Lake Winona manors and $23,000 was awarded for healthcare scholarships in 2012. Thus, the grand total for Auxiliary gifts in 2012 was $81,000.

“We celebrate your success this past year, and we congratulate and thank you,” said Schultz. “The Auxiliary has always been an important organization, but now it is more important than ever. Regardless of the challenges we all face in an ever-changing healthcare environment, we have clarity of our commitment to our patients and residents and to our community. On behalf of our senior management team, the board, our physicians and staff, thank you for all you do.”

In addition to funds raised throughout the year during various events and at the Glady D. Miller Gift Shop, last year volunteers provided 30,534 hours of service to Winona Health. Using the current U.S. average hourly value for volunteer time, that amounts to a gift equivalent to $660,145 in service time to Winona Health.

 Auxiliary officers for 2013 are: Nancy Enochs, president; Sheryl Miller, president-elect; Sheila Lind, secretary; Carol Partington, treasurer; Irene Mulyck, assistant treasurer; Pat Nolan, past president; and Kim Schwab, Winona Health board representative.

For more information about the Winona Health Auxiliary or volunteer opportunities at Winona Health, visit winonahealth.org or call 507.474.3328.

Trees are on display and the bidding has opened for the Winona Health Auxiliary’s annual Fantasy of Trees. This year the event is on the first floor of the clinic on the Winona Health campus.

The Winona Health Auxiliary’s Fantasy of Trees will be November 16-18 on the Winona Health campus 855 Mankato Avenue, clinic first floor.

The annual event will feature a wide variety of musical entertainment along with beautifully decorated trees available for purchase by sealed bid. The event also includes a sale of holiday wreaths, crafts and See’s candy. In addition, raffle tickets will be sold for a chance to win one of several great prizes.

“We have wonderful entertainment lined up for attendees,” said Jean Knutzen, entertainment chair. “We are thrilled and grateful to the community members and students who will share their talent at this year’s Fantasy of Trees. Their performances add a lot to the festivities.”

The Fantasy of Trees tree display opens Monday, November 12, with the main event scheduled Friday, November 16 through Sunday, November 18. The events and entertainment are schedule as follows:

Monday, November 12 – Thursday, November 15

• 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Bidding on trees

Friday, November 16

• 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Bidding on trees

• 3 – 7 p.m. Music, craft sale (centerpieces & wreaths), raffle, refreshments.

• 3 – 7 p.m. Valet parking available

Entertainment:

• 4 p.m. The Starz Boys, quartet

• 5 p.m. Ranetta Lang, piano

• 6:30 p.m. Cotter Show Choir

Saturday, November 17

• 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Bidding on trees, music, craft sale, raffle and refreshments

• 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Santa & Mrs. Claus (Remember to bring your camera!)

• Noon – 4 p.m. Valet parking available

Entertainment:

• 10 a.m. Rod Oppreicht, piano

• 11 a.m. Heart Strings, harpists

• 1 p.m. Sarah Ortega, sax & flute

• 2 p.m. Winona Senior High Chamber Singers & Men’s Choir

Sunday, November 18

• Noon – 3 p.m. Bidding on trees, music, craft sale, raffle and refreshments; valet parking available

Entertainment:

• 12 p.m. Rod Oppreicht, piano

• 1 p.m. MCA Flutistry, (Minnesota Conservatory of the Arts)

Proceeds from the sale of trees, crafts and candy will go toward enhancing the healing environment for patients and their families at Winona Health and to provide healthcare professional scholarships.

For more information please call Winona Health’s Volunteer Services office at 507.474.3328.

The Winona Health Auxiliary Glady D. Miller Gift Shop will be open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. from now through December 22. The Saturday hours are in addition to the Gift Shop’s regular hours Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The Gift Shop is filled with a wonderful selection of holiday merchandise including gift items, holiday entertaining supplies, gourmet food mixes, crystal, ornaments, tree trimmings, hostess gifts and much more.

The Glady D. Miller Gift Shop is located in the hospital lobby at Winona Health, 855 Mankato Ave.,Winona.

Proceeds from Gift Shop sales go toward Auxiliary projects to benefit Winona Health patients and for healthcare scholarships.

For more information about the Winona Health Auxiliary or the Gift Shop, call the Winona Health Volunteer Office at 507.474.3328.