Johnson Auxiliary
First row (left to right)—Pat Gesell, Jan Jamison, Annette Bickers, Jane Reynolds
Second row (left to right)—Kay Marlowe, Barbara Bowling, Beverly Hooker, Teresa McGarity, and Sharon Duke
Not pictured are the following volunteers: Randy Britton, Johnnie Donald, Susie Gayden, Evelyn Hampton, Shirley Jackson, Do Kaiser, Jean Markham, Doryana Nikiforova, Cindy Wolff
Johnson Auxiliary
The Johnson Auxiliary has over a 38-year history of serving the patients and families of Regional Medical Center at Memphis. After a tour of the then John Gaston Memorial Hospital-City of Memphis Hospital Complex in November 1972, the Auxiliary was established in April 1973 by local Presbyterian women in response to needs observed of the hospital. The Johnson Auxiliary is named for the late Reverend Dr. John K. Johnson, an Associate Pastor at Idlewild Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Chaplain for the UT Medical Units, and his late wife Katherine, who were supportive of the need for a hospital auxiliary to the City of Memphis Hospital. Membership in the Auxiliary is open to any adult, ages 18 and over, regardless of their race, sex, or creed.
The purpose of the Auxiliary is to minister to the needs of the patients, to assist the staff of Regional Medical Center at Memphis, to promote the health and welfare of the community within the objectives of the institution, and to provide a bond of understanding and service for people of all races and creeds. The Auxiliary is primarily funded through Gift Shop proceeds, but also receives donations (financial and in-kind) from local Presbyterian churches, other organizations, individuals, and through Auxiliary-sponsored hospital fundraisers.
The Auxiliary opened a Gift Shop in 1983 in order to provide grants to the hospital for the purchase of needed medical equipment and to support certain educational initiatives. Since 1991, the Auxiliary has donated over $441,000 to The MED Foundation from Gift Shop revenues. Service areas within the Auxiliary include the Gift Shop; an adult and baby clothes closet; distribution of comfort care items – magazines, books, and other items – to patients and their families, and blood pressure screenings.
Commitment
As a member of the Johnson Auxiliary, volunteers must commit to a minimum of 4 hours per shift with at least 8 hours a month.
Qualifications
As a member of the Johnson Auxiliary, volunteers must be at least 18 years of age (non-student), a high school graduate and those who will be performing blood pressure screenings must be an active, inactive, or retired Registered Nurse. As with all volunteer opportunities here at Regional Medical Center at Memphis, after all application materials are completed and submitted, each applicant must pass a background check, complete tuberculosis screening and immunization review, and attend a Volunteer Orientation.
Application
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Johnson Auxiliary for the Regional Medical Center at Memphis, please complete the online Adult Volunteer Application. For more information, contact Barbara Bowling at 901-545-7244 or bbowling@the-med.org.
