Decatur, Ga. -- (Jan. 25, 2012) -- Long-time DeKalb Medical Auxilian Frechia Barrett recently became president of the Council on Auxiliaries/Volunteers of the Georgia Hospital Association (CoA/V). CoA/V currently consists of 91 hospital auxiliaries throughout the state of Georgia. During the 2009-2010 year 7,299 auxilians volunteered a total of 1,378,885 hours in their participating hospitals and contributed funds totaling $4,040,030. "It's a great honor to have a president from our Auxiliary elected president of CoA/V," says Mary Meek of DeKalb Medical Volunteer Services who is a past president of DeKalb Medical Auxilians.
The Council provides training to support each auxiliary's efforts to offer practical help to its healthcare facility in performing essential services. Auxiliaries can be of tremendous help with community relations programs and community outreach programs in providing valuable volunteer services to patients and donating financial resources to improve patient care. Council members exchange ideas and experiences which can help auxilians and volunteers initiate new services designed to better the care given to patients in hospitals and help those who serve better prepare for leadership positions in their auxiliaries. The Council also helps healthcare facilities establish new Auxiliaries in addition to sharing information to promote the efficient functioning of healthcare auxiliaries in the Georgia Hospital Association and American Hospital Association.
Barrett joined DeKalb Medical Auxiliary in 1997, and during this time has served in a number of roles -- secretary, service chairperson, parliamentarian, first and fourth vice president, president elect and president. She's no stranger to CoA/V, either, having served as district director and vice president of education. Barrett has volunteered more than 6,500 hours at DeKalb Medical, and she continues to volunteer every week in our Mother-Baby unit, providing loving hands to newborns in our Nursery.
PHOTO CAPTION: L-R Back Row: Joann Bakay, Annette Benefield, Marsha Cummings, Ann Hord Middle Row: Jeanne Knox, Sally Houghton, Rhonda Tignor Front Row: C. Leigh Minter (Executive Director of the Foundation and Volunteer Services), Nancy Reed, Frechia Barrett, Betty Johnston, Edith Williams
About DeKalb Medical: With more than 800 doctors skilled in 55 medical specialties, DeKalb Medical (www.dekalbmedical.org) combines cutting-edge technology with compassion to effectively diagnose and treat our patients. A leader in cancer, heart attack treatment and orthopedics, the DeKalb Medical system has been growing with metro-Atlanta’s medical needs for 50 years.
The 627-bed not-for-profit health system includes DeKalb Medical at North Decatur (451 beds), DeKalb Medical Long Term Acute Care at Downtown Decatur (76 beds), DeKalb Medical at Hillandale (100 beds) and the DeKalb Medical Physicians Group. Committed to pushing beyond to excel in patient satisfaction and service, our quality is reflected in many clinical excellence awards throughout our three-hospital system including recently ranking in the Top 5% in the Nation for Overall Orthopedic Services by HealthGrades® (2011).
Media Contact:
Tori Vogt MBA
tori.vogt@dekalbmedical.org, 404.501.2885