PORT ANGELES — Leif Olson, Olympic Medical Center Auxiliary president, has announced six donations to Olympic Medical Center departments for medical equipment as part of its annual “Wish List” ceremony.
The donations were announced at the June 5 board of commissioners meeting.
Donated items included a Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure tool for Women’s Health, six Staxi wheelchairs and a Stryker evacuation chair for Olympic Medical Center, an isolette incubator for Olympic Medical Birth Center, and home sleep test machines for Olympic Medical Sleep Center.
“The auxiliary does so much for Olympic Medical Center — it’s impressive,” said Eric Lewis, Olympic Medical Center CEO.
“In addition to donating thousands of dollars for needed equipment, they also run the gift shop, and spend hundreds of hours fundraising in Port Angeles and Sequim,” he added.
Auxiliary members have raised and donated more than $633,000 to the hospital for equipment since 1980.
The OMC Auxiliary also announced five $2,000 scholarships to medical students.
Naomi Johnson plans to pursue an undergraduate nursing degree at Western Washington State in Pullman.
Michelle Keys and Sondra Pedlar are enrolled in the nursing program at Peninsula College.
Kylie Rentas will attend Spokane Community College in the fall to study diagnostic medical sonography technology management and will now pursue a bachelor’s in business management at Western Governors University.
“This year we’re thrilled to increase the scholarship amount from $1,500 to $2,000 each and increase the number of recipients from four to five,” said Patty Glennon, scholarship committee chair.
Glennon added that the group was pleased to award scholarships to two members of the same family (Keys and Johnson are mother and daughter).
“Workforce development is an important strategic goal at Olympic Medical Center (and) the Auxiliary scholarships help support that goal,” added John Nutter, board president.
The OMC Auxiliary has awarded a total of $50,000 in scholarships since 2009.
Funds for equipment and scholarships are raised through the auxiliary-run hospital gift shop, seasonal sales events and other fundraisers throughout the year.
For more information about the OMC Auxiliary, or information on how to become a volunteer, contact Kathy Coombes at 360-565-9110 or kcoombes@olympic medical.org.
