Our Mission
Elmhurst Hospital Auxiliary serves the Elmhurst Hospital community by providing support when and where it is needed most. Since our founding nearly 100 years ago, our dedicated volunteer members–many of them retired nurses and administrators who have invested much of their career serving patients at Elmhurst Hospital–have committed their time and expertise raising valuable funds to elevate the attention given to the more than 1 million patients who rely on Elmhurst Hospital each year. Our work helps to augment hospital services, purchase critical medical equipment, support our heroic staff, and provide outreach services to the community surrounding our campus.
Our Programs
PATIENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Our Patient Support Services program focuses on the many ways that patient experiences at Elmhurst Hospital can be enhanced and improved. This includes providing things as simple as fun stickers, bandaids, fidget toys and new books for patients in our pediatric departments; to a recent $300,000 investment in state-of-the-art labor and delivery beds to enhance the safety and comfort of those in labor; to having clothing available for patients in need; to transportation services for patients to and from treatment at our Cancer Center at the Hope Pavilion.
The Holidays can be a particularly difficult time for patients and their loved ones at the Hospital. In November and December the Auxiliary ensures not only that the Hospital is festive and welcoming, but also provides gifts to new mothers on the maternity floor, like strollers, baby carriers and clothing; as well as holiday parties and gatherings for the students and youth in our Behavioral Health Programs–these gifts and parties are the only holiday celebration that many of these patients have.
STAFF WELLNESS
The ability to offer exemplary patient care starts with staff who are supported at every level, from adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), to training, to 360 degree support for physical and emotional health. In 2021 Elmhurst Hospital hired our first Chief Wellness Officer, who oversees the coordination and implementation of wellness programming for employees of Elmhurst Hospital. This innovative program ensures that the incredible professionals who work at Elmhurst have their needs met.
The Auxiliary supports this critical program through purchases of PPE, simulation training equipment, and other staff wishlist items. They also organize special events for Hospital departments in need of recognition or support during particularly difficult times.
EMERGENCY NEEDS
The Hospital’s needs can change rapidly, and thanks to our year-round fundraising initiatives the Auxiliary has the flexibility to meet those demands–big and small–as they arise. Recent acquisitions include a $43,000 investment in MRI safe IV pumps, for use by patients who require an IV while receiving an MRI; $140,000 ultrasound for the Pediatric Clinic; and $8,000 investment in Scholastic books for our Primary Care Clinic, which provides new books and literacy support to families with children from 6 months to 5 years old.
WALKWAY OF HONOR
Our Walkway of Honor offers a contemplative space to recognize loved ones and those who have made a significant impact on the Elmhurst Hospital community. All funds raised from brick purchases on the Walkway of Honor support the Auxiliary’s initiatives.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
The Auxiliary’s Community Outreach program sponsors events throughout the year to provide services to the growing, dynamic community surrounding our campus, including:
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Our Fall Back-to-School Health Fair provides hundreds of school-age children with backpacks filled with supplies to start the new school year
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The Healthy Halloween Fair distributes information and materials to ensure Halloween is both safe and fun
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Our Turkey and Fixins' Drive at Thanksgiving provides turkeys and food for New York City families in need
EVENTS
The Auxiliary presents Elmhurst Hospital's fundraising Galas. These critical fundraising events honor members of our staff and community who have gone above and beyond in service of the Hospital, while celebrating the tremendous milestones and achievements of our almost 200 years of service to New York City.