Message from the President: The Annual Report

As President of Ladies Hospital Aid Society, it is my honor and responsibility to report the accomplishments and activities over the last year to the membership. At this time, I would like to thank those who have donated either their time or contributed financially to LHAS. Your support enables us to continue fulfilling our mission of helping the indigent population by providing medical, educational, financial and social services to those in need.

The LHAS Staff and volunteer committees operate in full force throughout the year. Although I could never detail all the wonderful things that LHAS does in one report, I would like to take this opportunity to briefly highlight the accomplishments from the last year at LHAS.

HOSPITAL OPERATIONS, Thanks to our Hospital Operations Vice President Carole Kamin, our Gift Shops and Lottery are flourishing to say the least! We have exceeded our expectations and, to date, we are on target to net $100,000 and we cannot thank you enough. This income will support the new and exciting programs that are here today on display.

Our Beauty Salons continue to build clientele and provide the social respite needed when loved ones are in the hospital, not to mention a new lease on life by looking beautiful and human again. Special thanks go to Lisa Kapinski, Manager of our Montefiore Salon and Debbie Mancuso, our Manager at the LHAS Positive Image and owner of Hair Enhancements, for always demonstrating the compassion with purpose that we promote.

SOCIAL SERVICES, Thanks to Mary Ellen Wampler for serving as Vice President of Social Services and chairing the LHAS Emergency Care Family Packets Committee. I would like to report that your contributions have helped provide over 500 packets to be dispensed, $1,500 for lodging for out of town families, $8,000 in medication costs, $5,000 for wigs for cancer patients with hair loss, $5,000 for durable medical equipment and supplies.

And speaking of leaving the hospital, your financial support, not only help establish the LHAS ER Trauma Closet, which provides clothing and shoes for patients being discharged, but also $15,000 in transportation for over 200 patients leaving the hospital by wheelchair van, a cab or ambulance. Thanks to Beverly Wukich for getting the best possible prices.

LHAS Comfort Measure Only (CMO) Bags have become a staple of LHAS, thanks to Christine McCormick. Christine and her committee have assembled and distributed over 350 bags and the need is growing. These bags represent a small token from LHAS and serve as a diversion to families of dying patients who do not want to leave their bedside.

COMMUNITY SERVICES, Thanks and congratulations to Jackie Dixon for representing LHAS at every available opportunity.

Our annual Gala in August 2011 was spectacular thanks to our co-chairs Ruby Kang and Mary Ellen Wampler, and Hoddy Hanna who so graciously agreed to be our Honorary Chair. These efforts garnered $150,000 in proceeds to benefit pediatric surgery’s patients operations and assistance fund at Children’s Hospital. Mark your calendar for this year’s gala on Saturday, September 22nd, at The Fairmont Hotel. Ruby and Mary Ellen Wampler would love to have your support so make sure to sign up on their committee.

Our LHAS Health and Wellness Series continued this year and I am proud to say the efforts have made a difference, one person at a time.

LHAS sponsored a boot camp with Dr. Vonda Wright for a successful six-week course. Thanks to Cindi Roth for coordinating this effort for 23 participants. Some even went on to complete the 5K run last week!

LHAS Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention campaign kicked off at Pittsburgh CAPA in February 2012, thanks to Carrie Conboy, Jodi Amos and their committee. LHAS visited seven schools this year, distributing over 800 t-shirts with hangtags listing the 10 warning signs of abuse, and partnered with Dr. Gary Cuccia, the father of Demi Cuccia, who was stabbed 16 times by her boyfriend. Had an awareness campaign and warning signs been visible, it may have saved her life and made parents more aware of the signs as well. Look for LHAS to become more involved in the future.

LHAS Bike Club has just begun and we are assembling a group to ride once a week. I encourage your participation and friendship.

MEMBERSHIP, Thanks to Vice President Lisa Gaydos for undertaking the portfolio of Membership and her tireless efforts to engage new and former members. I must say that recruitment over the last year has produced over 50 new members who are willing to give of their time and talents for upcoming special events.

Our web page and facebook page is complete and is updated on a continual basis, thanks to Nancy Sansom. I encourage you all to bookmark the site to see all the good work being done.

Again, I welcome all the new board members and look forward to working with them. There is more than enough to do and I encourage you to be proactive in asking how you can help. For those who have been actively involved, and I know I have not mentioned you all, I thank you.

On a final note, I thank Dee Dee, Ethel, Melanie and the rest of the LHAS Staff for their efforts and continued support at a moment’s notice, and UPMC, John Innocenti and Deb Redmond for their ongoing respect, partnership and friendship that has enabled LHAS to effectively continue to lend the helping hand to those less fortunate.

With that, I respectfully submit my 2011-2012 Annual Report.

Laura Penrod Kronk on May 10, 2012

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