AHAA History

ARKANSAS HOSPITAL AUXILIARY ASSOCIATION HISTORY

In 1955, the first Council on Hospital Auxiliaries was organized at the request of
the Arkansas Hospital Association (AHA). Its earliest members were Mr. Clyde
Nevill, Chairman, Paragould Community Methodist Hospital; Mr. Gage Lewis,
Springdale; and Mrs. Verna Hudson, Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital. Mrs.
James Fall, an auxilian from West Memphis, served as an advisor. A list of
existing auxiliaries and their officers was presented to the AHA Board of Directors
and a state hospital auxiliary association was organized to encourage the growth
of new auxiliaries. The first annual convention was held to coincide with the AHA
convention in May 1958. Prior to the meeting in May, a Constitution and Bylaws
were drawn up by Judge Charles Light, Paragould, and a tentative slate of officers
was selected.

Sixteen auxiliaries were represented at the first meeting in 1958. They
approved the idea of a state association, elected a slate of officers headed by Mrs.
Tom Allen of Brinkley, accepted the bylaws and rules and voted to meet again in
1959 in conjunction with the AHA. Thus, the Arkansas Hospital Auxiliary
Association (AHAA) was created. The AHA Council on Hospital Auxiliaries was
enlarged with the addition of Mr. Andrew Talley of Forrest City, and Sister Mary
Alphonsus, Mercy Hospital at Brinkley. Mr. Nevill continued to serve as chairman.
The first time AHAA was host for the Mid-West Meeting in Kansas City,
Missouri, was in 1959. A plaque was presented by Mid-West Association to AHAA
for the most outstanding program ever given at a meeting.

In 1961, sixteen auxiliaries were added and the state divided into six districts
each with a chairman and dues were set according to the number of hospital beds.
AHAA recognized the assistance and support of Mr. Graham Nixon, Executive
Secretary of AHAA and contribution of supplies by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue
Shield. A skit, “Pattern for Hospital Auxiliaries,” was written by Mrs. James Littleton
of Little Rock, was presented at the convention of the American Hospital
Association in Atlanta.

Between 1961 and 1966, AHAA showed steady growth. In 1962, the annual
meeting month was changed from May to October. A president’s pin which was to
be handed down to successors was established and a bylaws committee was
formed. A scrapbook was begun to document the history of AHAA in 1963, such
as Magnolia Hospital Auxiliary admitting men in 1965.

In 1966, Arkansas again was host at Mid-West and was pleased to have Mr.
Chester Lauch of “Lum and Abner” radio fame oversee a “Jot’em Down” store as
part of their display. The American Hospital Association (AmHA) chose Arkansas
as one of five states to receive a one day package institute, “The Volunteer in the
Hospital”. The first proclamation of “National Hospital Week” was done in
Arkansas. Membership in AHAA increased from 50 members in 1967, 52
members in 1968 and 56 members in 1969.

Three auxiliaries were added to AHAA in 1973-1974. AHA invited the president
of AHAA to attend their board meetings as a guest. A pilot Legislative Workshop
was held with the cooperation of AHA. It was recognized at the 1974 convention
that AHA gave AHAA $3,000 so it might operate effectively.

In 1974-75, new auxiliaries encompassing more than 1,000 auxilians joined
AHAA. Medic Alert was adopted as a state project. Each auxiliary received Family
Health Record Books to be given to all new mothers as part of the Immunization
Project. The president of the Arkansas Society of Directors of Volunteers Services
Association was asked to be a member of the AHA Council on Auxiliaries and
attend AHAA Board meetings. The AHA Board of Directors voted to seat the
AHAA president as a voting member. AHAA was the second auxiliary association
51
in the nation to be so honored. AHAA district chairman were invited to attend AHA
district council meetings. The first AHAA auxiliary handbook was published.
1976-1977 saw the addition of several auxiliaries to AHAA. In December of
1976, AHAA was incorporated and forms filed with IRS to obtain a nonprofit status.
Accident insurance was provided for the first time for all board members while on
official travel. An Education Committee was established. Shared purchasing of
volunteer uniforms was begun through a contract with Angelica Uniform Company.
At the close of the 1977-78 year, there were 61 member auxiliaries in AHAA. A
decision was made to publish the state newsletter six times a year. Diane Mackey,
past president of AHAA, was appointed to the AmHA Committee on Volunteers.
The voting membership of AHAA was 64 in 1978-79. A new state project, “The
Medicare-Medicaid Beneficiary Assistance Project” was introduced at convention.
“The Volunteer Leader” recognized Siloam Springs Memorial, Bates Memorial and
Stuttgart Memorial for outstanding fund raising and Arkansas Children’s Hospital
Auxiliary for promoting a sales tax for expansion of the only acute care pediatric
hospital in the state.

During 1979-80, the Child Safety Project was adopted. The Medicare/Medicaid
Beneficiary Assistance Project was implemented. For its work as the pilot project,
AHAA received an award from the Health Care Financing Administration, which
had invited AHAA to participate in the project.

Losing its best friend in the untimely death of Maxine Shelton, AHA
Administrative Assistant, in 1980-81, the AHAA dedicated the 1981-82 handbooks
to her memory. Five auxiliaries joined AHAA. AmHA invited AHAA to give a
workshop at its convention in Philadelphia on Medicare/Medicaid Beneficiary
Assistance Project.

In February 1982, Governor Frank White recognized AHAA for “Outstanding
Community Service in the Arkansas Volunteer Corps”. The year closed with 62
auxiliaries. A Legislative Day was held in January of 1983 in Little Rock. Doctors
Hospital was selected by the AmHA to present its community service project, “The
Healthy Woman Seminar” at the first Innovators Conference in Chicago.
Past President Ruth Forster spoke on “The Role of the Volunteer” at the Rural
Health Conference in 1982-83. A memorial honoring Lena Wilson was dedicated
as a Library Fund. Mrs. Wilson was president of AHAA in 1967-68.

Four new auxiliaries were added to AHAA in 1983-84, one was reinstated, and
the year ended with 67 auxiliaries. A new state project was developed, “RX Get
the Answer”, and Linda Bonar, who named the project, received the first AHAA
state pin, which was then made available to all members.

AHAA sponsored a Legislative Day in 1984-85 fiscal years. “Please Call Police”
Banners were a special project. Arkansas was one of five states which were
awarded a $1,000 grant from AmHA and the national Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, which AHAA used to present “Living is a Cinch” workshop for the
purpose of promoting automobile occupant protection. At this workshop, AHAA’s
program, “Bug-Buckle Up for Granny” was introduced. The AHAA Board voted to
accept the invitation of Secretary of State Bill McCuen to make the decorations for
the 1985 Christmas tree in the rotunda of the State Capitol.

On Labor Day, during the 1984-85 year, auxilians in close proximity to several
Tourist Information Centers and Rest Areas distributed highway safety literature
and “BUG-Buckle Up for Granny” fans. The first dues increase in 10 years was
approved and the fiscal year was also changed to July 1 – June 30. In the
competition to name the AHAA newsletter, Mae Crumpler of Magnolia won with her
entry of “Auxilians in Action”. Two new auxiliaries were added, bringing the
membership to 69.
In the 1985-86 year, the AHAA manned a booth at the Arkansas Automobile
Dealers Association trade show to promote the “Please Call Police” banners and
52
B.U.G. program, furnished the handmade decorations for the official Arkansas
Christmas tree in the rotunda of the Capital and received a special recognition from
the Governor’s Office and the Arkansas Highway Safety Program for its
involvement in the improvement of highway safety in Arkansas. The AHAA
president served as chairman of the Program Committee for Auxiliaries at the Mid
West Health Congress in Kansas City. The AHAA board endorsed and
encouraged participation in the “Hands Across America” Program. AHAA was
represented at the National All American Buckle Up kick-off and the ground
breaking ceremony for the Vietnam Memorial. Through a grant from the Arkansas
Highway Safety Program, 5,000 small American flags with an attached streamer
“BUCKLE UP ARKANSAS” were distributed throughout the state on Memorial Day
and the Fourth of July. One auxiliary resigned and one joined AHAA, ending the
year with 69 member auxiliaries.

During the year 1986-87, a workshop with the Arkansas Society of Directors of
Volunteer Services was held. Also, AHAA sponsored a gift shop show and
workshop. ARKLA Sponsored child safety tags and these were handed out by
auxilians at shopping malls from across the state. AHAA presented its highway
safety program, BUG-Buckle Up for Granny, for Innovators Conference, American
Hospital Association. Madge Helm, AHA administrative assistant and liaison to
AHAA, was made an honorary life member of the AHAA, the first person to be so
honored.

AHAA was honored to participate in the organ recipient reception held at the
Governor’s Mansion, which honored families of organ donors and recipients of
organs. AHAA also participated in the ceremony for the one millionth child
assistance tag (CAT) given by ARKLA to Arkansas children with the assistance of
AHAA. At the end of this year, AHAA had 71 members.

In the 1988-89 year, a Legislative Seminar was held January 11 at the Camelot
Hotel in Little Rock. The AHAA sponsored a Gift Shop Show and Workshop in
Eureka Springs in March. Child assistance tags (CAT) were again actively
distributed in June by auxilians across the state. In May, the AHAA board voted to
develop ARORA (the organ recovery program) as a state project. Two auxiliaries
merged and a new auxiliary was also formed. At year’s end there were 69
member auxiliaries.

During the 1989-90 year, the AHAA Board officially adopted the Child
Assistance Tags (CATs) as a state project. The “CATs” are furnished by ARKLA
and distributed by AHAA across the state. A leadership seminar was held in Little
Rock and 123 auxilians attended. AHAA participated in the ARORA reception at
the Governor’s Mansion and received an award from ARORA for AHAA’s support
and efforts on behalf of organ donors and organ recipients. Dorothy Spencer
wrote and published a booklet, “Guidelines for District Chairman.” AHAA also
participated in a seminar conducted by the Arkansas Volunteer Coordinators
Association (AVCA). AHAA has, at year’s end, 70 members. Auxilians across the
state made Christmas ornaments for the tree at the State Capitol. In August 1990,
the AHAA held its first Past Presidents’ Luncheon with 17 in attendance.
During 1990-91, AHAA did not hold any workshops or introduce any new state
projects, preferring to concentrate on activities already in place. A Christmas Tea
was held at the Arkansas Hospital Association’s headquarters building and several
member auxiliaries donated Christmas ornaments to the AHA Christmas Tree.
Legislative Day was held to support legislative efforts of Arkansas hospitals and
the AHA. AHAA supported the Organ Donor and Recipient Reception held at the
Governor’s Mansion. There were 70 members of AHAA at the close of the year.
During the 1991-92 year, AHAA joined the Southeastern Hospital Conference.
A Christmas Tea was held at the Arkansas Hospital Association Building. AHAA
took an active role in securing signatures for the Coalition for a Healthier Arkansas
53
(CHAR) to place an Act on the ballot to raise funds for Arkansas’ Medicaid
program. R.F. Ant was adopted as the new state project. It is a video to educate
children about the dangers of drugs from nicotine to hard drugs. Continuing its
support of ARORA, AHAA sponsored the reception which honors donors,
recipients and their families. AHAA created its first Cookbook – Angels Have
Assorted Appetites.

During the 1992-93 year, AHAA lost two members. However, it accepted
Eureka Springs Hospital Auxiliary and Bates Development Associates as new
members. At the end of the year, AHAA had 67 members. The AHAA Board
reordered 1,500 copies of its cookbook – Angels Have Assorted Appetites. The
President and President-elect introduced R.F. Ant on a regional level at a
conference in Atlanta. The first reunion of past and present AHAA Boards was
held at Marlsgate Plantation. AHAA had a successful legislative day with over 60
legislators attending. Hospital auxilians were given credit for helping to defeat a
provider tax on hospitals which was felt to be unfair. AHAA held a leadership
seminar with over 100 auxilians attending.

During 1993-94, AHAA lost one member, but accepted Harris Hospital as a new
member. At the end of this year, AHAA remains with 67 auxiliaries. The AHAA
president ordered an additional 500 copies of the AHAA cookbook Angels Have
Assorted Appetites. The President and President-elect attended the SAL meeting
in Chicago. The second reunion of Past/Present AHAA Boards was held at the
Little Rock Club in August. Legislative action was done over the state regarding
Health Care Reforms. The Soft Drink Tax proposal saw action across the state.
AHAA held a Leadership Conference in Hot Springs with over 100 auxilians
attending. Several “going away” functions were held for Roger Busfield at his
retirement as President of AHA. AHAA welcomed a new president of AHA, James
R. Teeter, to its board of directors.

During 1994-95, AHAA accepted Northwest Rehabilitation Hospital Auxiliary as
a new member. At the end of the year, AHAA had 68 auxiliaries. The AHAA sold
T-shirts with “A New Beginning” and a butterfly on the front. The President and
Vice President attended a California Association Hospital and Health Conference
in Anaheim, CA. The president attended the SAL meeting in Chicago. A
Legislative Day was held in Little Rock by the AHAA in February. The president
and president-elect attended the American Hospital Association convention in San
Francisco in August.

In 1995-96 the AHAA Leadership Seminar was held in Hot Springs. The AHAA
membership was comprised of 70 auxiliaries. The president and president-elect
attended the SAL meeting in Chicago in March and the president attended the
CAHHS convention in Monterey, California. The Southeastern Conference of
Healthcare, held in Biloxi, Mississippi, was attended by the president and the other
AHAA board members. Central Arkansas Rehabilitation Auxiliary in Sherwood
joined the AHAA.

In 1996-97 year started with the annual AHAA Convention in Fayetteville in
October, 1996 with a record breaking attendance. The President and Presidentelect
attended two meetings during the year, the SAL meeting in Chicago, and a
convention in California. The fall and spring meetings attained 100% attendance.
Legislative Day was held in Little Rock in January. At the beginning of the year the
AHAA was composed of 68 auxiliaries. The AHAA board accepted the withdrawal
of Mercy Turner Memorial, Little River, and Magnolia Auxiliaries. The AHAA
chartered a new auxiliary at Baxter County Regional Hospital in Mountain Home.
This auxiliary has 280 members. The Bylaws Committee worked hard and
successfully to bring our bylaws up to date.
The 1997-98 year began in October, 1997 with the 39th Annual AHAA
Convention at the DoubleTree Hotel in Little Rock. A record attendance of 383
54
registered auxilians made this convention the largest ever. The convention
committee presented a program of speakers and workshops that addressed the
needs of the auxiliaries. There were thirteen vendors present with interesting
wares for everyone. 560 auxilians attended the fall and spring district meetings,
with many auxiliaries having 100% attendance. The president and president-elect
traveled a total of 3,378 miles over the State of Arkansas at attend these meetings.
They also attended the SAL (State Auxiliary Leaders) meeting in Chicago and
other meetings in Kentucky. In July the Magnolia Hospital Auxiliary chartered. The
Bylaws committee revised the Administrative Policies and Procedures. The
Leadership Conference held in Russellville in July was a great success with 121
attendees.

The 1998-99 year began in October 1998 with the 40th Annual Convention at
the Hilton Hotel in North Little Rock with over 400 registered auxilians in
attendance. Workshops and vendors made this a most successful convention.
The President and President-elect attended the convention in California and
SAL meeting in Chicago.

The Legislative Day was held in Little Rock at the DoubleTree Hotel. We had a
good guest speaker and over 60 Legislators and 100 auxilians were there.
Two new hospitals were accepted into membership, the Arkansas Heart
Hospital in Little Rock, and Baptist Medical Center in Heber Springs, bringing our
membership in the AHAA to 67.

The 1999-2000 year began the 41st Annual Convention held in the DoubleTree
Hotel in Little Rock with an outstanding attendance. We had workshops and the
most vendors we have ever had, pleasing everyone.
The President and President-elect attended the SAL meeting in Chicago also
the Southeast SDVSHO Leadership Conference in Chattanooga, TN along with
eight other members from Arkansas. Arkansas was well represented.
The WHALE™ project got off to a bang-up start. The program was established
in late 1999 but did not get off the ground good until 2000. ARORA was taken off
our State Projects.

The Past President’s Luncheon and Retreat was held at DeGray Lodge out of
Arkadelphia.

With the resignation of Bates Development Associates in Bentonville, our
membership now totals 66.
In 2000-2001, our 42nd State Convention was held at the Arlington Hotel in Hot
Springs. We had workshops, vendors, a silent auction, and the “Take Your
Administrator to Lunch.”
The President and President-elect attended the SAL meeting in Chicago, and
brought back some excellent ideas.

The WHALE™ Project is going strong and the AHAA cookbooks are selling
well. Legislative Day was held and many legislators attended.
On July 11, 2001, the current Board of Directors, committee chairmen, and the
incoming board members held a retreat at the Oasis Renewal Center in Little Rock.
These retreats are for the board to get new ideas and input of changes that should
help new officers coming on the board.

Arkansas was well represented at the SDVSHO Meeting in May in Birmingham,
Alabama.

Theda Aud chaired a committee to design a state flag for AHAA. The AHA
presented us with a stage flag which will be used at conventions and meetings.
Flags are available for purchase by auxiliaries and hospitals.
Two auxiliaries were chartered: Ozark Health Medical Center of Clinton and
Stone County Medical Center of Mountain View. Both are in the North Central
District. Mercy Hospital of Scott County, Waldron, in the Valley District withdrew
from membership. Our auxiliary membership is now 67.
55
The year 2001-2002 was a good year, beginning with the 43rd Annual
Convention held at the Peabody Hotel. The hotel was being renovated so we
missed the famous duck walk.

Our President, Pattsy Yancy, and president-elect, Pat Stephens, attended the
State Auxiliary Leadership Meeting in Chicago in March, and the SDVSHO
Leadership Conference in Biloxi in April.

A Leadership Conference was held in June in Paragould. The Honorable
Jimmie Lou Fisher, State Treasurer, spoke on Leadership and Volunteerism. The
Keynote Speaker was Honorable Tim Wooldridge, Arkansas Senate AMMC Vice
President for Institutional Advancement.

The auxiliaries are continuing to support the state projects – Immunization,
Medic Alert, Drug Awareness/R.F. Ant, and WHALE™.
NARTI, in Springdale, Northwest District, withdrew from membership. Our
auxiliary membership is now 66.

The year 2002-2003 began with the State Convention in October at the Double
Tree Hotel in Little Rock. The Keynote Speaker was Ladonna Gatlin. Legislative
Day in January was very well planned and informative. Ginger Beebe, chairman,
put together a great occasion at the Double Tree Hotel in Little Rock. Speakers
were Senator Brenda Gullett of Pine Bluff and Don Adams, Vice President AHA.
After lunch with the senators, we went to the State Capitol for a tour.
The AHAA President and President-Elect attended two national meetings. The
State Auxiliary Leadership Conference was held in Reno, Nevada and the
SDVSHO Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida.
All seven districts reported well-attended fall and spring district meetings.
Theda Aud, a past president, was appointed to a leadership position on an
American Hospital Association committee for three years.
No auxiliaries withdrew this year and none were added. Our membership
remains at 66.

October started the 2003-2004 year off with our convention held at the Arlington
Hotel in Hot Springs. Senator Brenda Gullett was the Keynote Speaker.
Seven district meetings were held in the fall and in the spring. Several
leadership functions were held this year. The SDVSHO Annual Leadership
Convention, with Theda Aud representing the AHAA, was held at the Peabody
Hotel in Little Rock with the theme “Building Solid Leadership One ‘Little Rock’ At A
Time.” The Leadership Seminar was held in Mountain Home and was chaired by
Loma Meyer.

During the past year, two auxiliaries were chartered: Dallas County Medical
Center (Southwest District) and Dardanelle Hospital (Valley District). Two
auxiliaries withdrew from membership: CARTI (Metropolitan District) and
DeQueen Regional Medical Center (Southwest District).
The 2004-2005 year began with the 46th Annual Convention held in October at
the Double Tree Hotel in Little Rock. Dorothy Spencer chaired a successful
Legislative Day in January. The Hon. Tim Wooldridge was the Keynote Speaker.
Lou Jorgenson, Ann Cloud, Nancy McFarland and Theda Aud attended the
State Auxiliary Leadership meeting in Washington, D.C. Ann and Theda
represented our state at the SDVSHO Leadership Conference in Covington, KY.
The auxiliaries continue to support the state projects. The AHAA sponsored
two $2,000 scholarships at UAMS Medical Center – one for a student in the School
of Nursing and one for a student in Health Related Professions.
There were seven district meetings in the fall and also in the spring. No
auxiliaries were chartered and none withdrew.
In 2005-2006, the 47th Convention and Annual Meeting were held at the Double
Tree Hotel. In April, the President and President-Elect attended the SAL (State
Auxiliary Leaders) conference in Washington, D.C.
56
The AHAA board voted to discontinue the drug awareness program.
AHAA continues to sponsor two $2,000 scholarships at UAMS Medical Center.
Also the Northwest District gave a one-time $1,000 scholarship in Ann Cloud’s
honor to the College of Health Related Professions at UAMS.
The seven district meetings were held in the spring and fall.
Three auxiliaries joined AHAA: Arkansas Surgical Hospital, North Little Rock
(Metropolitan District), Great River Medical Center, Blytheville (Northeast District)
and Mena Regional Health System, Mena (Valley District). Central Arkansas
Hospital Auxiliary and White County Medical Center Auxiliary, both in Searcy,
merged following the merger of the two hospitals. Newport Hospital closed. Two
auxiliaries withdrew: Arkansas Heart Hospital in Little Rock and Harris Hospital in
Newport.

In 2006-2007, the 48th Annual Convention was held at the DoubleTree Hotel in
Little Rock. In May, our president and president-elect attended the SAL
conference in Washington, D.C., and in August they attended the ASDVS
Conference in San Antonio, TX.
The two hospital auxiliaries that withdrew the previous year, Arkansas Heart
Hospital in Little Rock and Harris Hospital in Newport, rejoined AHAA in July 2007.
They received their charters at convention in October 2007. Our auxiliaries now
number 65.

Two new state projects were approved – The Scholarship Program began with
the year 2006-2007 and the HELP (Helmet Emergency Labeling Program) will
begin with the 2007-2008 year.
Legislative Day this year was changed to Legislative Advocacy Training Day for
the purpose of training auxilians to be legislative advocates for their hospitals. It
was held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Little Rock on January 18, 2007. Don Adams
and Bo Ryall, AHA officers, were presenters along with Barbara Kumpe from the
American Heart Association.

During the 2007-2008 year the Arkansas Hospital Association added a wing
and renovated their headquarters. While this construction was underway the
AHAA Board held its meetings at Julie’s Restaurant and at Southwest Regional
Medical Center. For the September meeting, the board returned to a larger and
remodeled AHA building.
The 49th AHAA Convention and Annual Meeting were again held at the Double
Tree Hotel in Little Rock.
In March, our state president and president-elect attended the SDVSHO
meeting in Williamsburg, Virginia; in April they represented the AHAA at the SAL
Conference in Washington, D.C.
The Advisory Committee of Past Presidents met to review the Award of
Excellence criteria and other matters. They reported their recommendations to the
Board.

Theda Aud chaired a well-attended Leadership Conference in June, featuring
Bill Fulton, motivational speaker. It was held at Mount Magazine.
A decision was made to discontinue mailing the AHAA newsletter. It is now
available on the AHA web site.
We lost five auxiliaries from our membership this year. They were Booneville
Community Hospital and River Valley Medical Center; (Valley District); Community
Medical Center of Izard County (North Central District); Arkansas Surgical Hospital
and Southwest Regional Medical Center (Metro District). The 2007-2008 year
ended with 61 auxiliaries.
Convention 2009 saw some positive changes. We had a 50-50 drawing that
was well received. Credit cards were accepted for the first time and we purchased
a credit card machine to be used in the future.
57
State projects were reviewed and the board voted to discontinue the
Immunization project, as that work is now being done by the hospitals.
The President-elect, State Projects Chair, worked with MedicAlert to start a pilot
program in which the AHAA would partner with MedicAlert to encourage more
participation. New MedicAlert brochures, with the AHAA logo, were given to one
hospital auxiliary in each district, with each auxiliary identified by its own number.
In March the board voted to suspend the Scholarship program for the coming
year, as funds were not available. The program will be evaluated each year and a
decision made as to whether or not to continue it.
The November board meeting has been discontinued.
The President and President-elect attended the SAL Conference in
Washington, D.C., in May.
In June, a successful Leadership Conference was held in Harrison, with a
record number of auxilians present.
The history of the Presidents Pin was presented at the Past Presidents/ Awards
luncheon at convention. Gloria McEnroe was in office before the Past Presidents’
Pin was a reality, so she had not received one. This year, she was presented with
her official Past Presidents pin and received a standing ovation for all she has
done over the years for the AHAA.
No new auxiliaries joined the AHAA during the year. DeWitt Hospital, in the
Southeast District, withdrew their auxiliary from the state organization.
Despite turbulent economic times, the 2010 AHAA Annual Meeting and
Convention were well attended. Proceeds allowed for the resumption of the state
scholarships to UAMS.
The board voted to reinstate the November board meeting and to eliminate the
January meeting.
Due to severe winter weather, the January 12, 2011, Legislative Training Day
was cancelled.
This spring, the President and President-elect were able to travel to
Washington, D.C. for the State Auxiliary Leaders (SAL) Conference and to
Louisville, Kentucky, for the Southeastern Directors of Volunteer Services in
Healthcare Organizations (SDVSHO) annual meeting.
Great River Medical Center Auxiliary in Blytheville has withdrawn from AHAA.
We are welcoming back Stone County Medical Center volunteers. Their hospital
was hit by a tornado in 2008. The year ended with 62 auxiliaries in the
organization.
A Leadership Conference was held June 20, 2012, in Little Rock and was very
well attended.
Both the President and President-elect represented Arkansas at the State
Auxiliary Leaders (SAL) Conference in Washington, D.C. The President was also
able to go to the Southeastern Directors of Volunteer Services in Healthcare
Organizations (SDVSHO) meeting held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Due to the increases in printing expenses and other considerations, the board
voted to discontinue WHALE™ as a state project.
The 2012-2013 AHAA handbook features a color version of the state logo on
the cover. This logo was originally designed by Past President Bina Foy and was
in black and white. George Spencer, from Johnson Regional Medical Center in
Clarksville, fashioned a colored, stained-glass replica of the design as a gift for
Past President Jane Texter. The picture has since been hung at the AHA building
in Little Rock. A photograph of the glass was taken and Arkansas Flag and Banner
used it to make a new flag. In May, 2001, the AHAA board voted to adopt the
design as our state flag.
No new auxiliaries were added or withdrawn; at year end, AHAA had 61
auxiliaries.
58
The 2012 Annual Meeting and Convention were successful and well-attended,
with 361 registrants. AHAA members from across the state attended Legislative
Advocacy Day at the State Capitol in Little Rock in support of Medicaid expansion.
State forms for 2013 were revised. The board voted to adopt Alzheimer’s as a
new state project.
Immediate Past President, Lynn Smith, was appointed to serve a 3-year term
on the American Hospital Association’s Committee on Volunteers (COV), which is
quite an honor for our state association. As our COV representative, Lynn
attended the SAL conference in Washington, D.C., the SHVL conference in
Baltimore, MD, and the AHVRP Leadership conference in Indianapolis, IN.
AHAA established a $25,000 endowed scholarship to the UAMS College of
Nursing and the UAMS College of Health Professions. We will continue to grant
the annual ($2,000 each) scholarships to each college.
Our president and our Legislative Chair attended the SAL conference in
Washington, D.C.
DeWitt Hospital and Nursing Home Auxiliary rejoined the AHAA. At year end,
2013, the AHAA had 62 members.

The year 2013 saw three hundred sixty four (364) in attendance at the annual

meeting and convention.The AHAA President-elect and the Legislative Chair traveled to

Washington, D.C. to attend the national SAL Conference. An  extremely successful Leadership Conference

was held June 3, 2014 at the the historic Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs. The AHAA voted during 2014

to approve the development of an AHAA website. Mass Enthusiasm was contracted to design

the site, which has been up and running since May. The new website address is: www.arhaa.org.

One auxiliary, Five Rivers in Pocanhontas, withdrew from our organization.

We ended the year with sixty-one (61) auxiliaries.

The 2014 AHAA Convention and Annual meeting was held at the DoubleTree Hotel with

three hundred Twenty-seven (327) in attendance.  In may the AHAA president and

president-elect attended the national SAL Conference in Washington D.C. The state legislature

voted to continue the Private Option program, which benefits hospitals in our state.

 After reviewing guidelines and applications prepared by a committee of District Chairs,

the AHAA voted to give each district $500 annually for scholarships, effective

January, 2016.  The AHAA also voted to discontinue MedicAlert as a state project

and to adopt "Look Before You Lock" as our newest project.  Community Medical Center

of Izard County, in Calico Rock, has voted to rejoin our organization.  Crittenden Regional Hospital

in West Memphis has closed.  The year ended with 60 auxiliaries.