MT. VERNON, IL – SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital Auxiliary held their annual awards and luncheon, celebrating their commitment to the vision and mission of SSM Health. Service awards were presented to individuals who contributed 100 or more hours of volunteer work, with Zella Fitts leading the group by accumulating an impressive 16,700 hours of volunteering throughout her tenure.
The Auxiliary is made up of 116 active volunteers who collectively contributed over 14,302 service hours in 2024. Since its founding in 1966, the Auxiliary has donated over $2 million to support the needs of the hospital. Last year, they contributed $40,000 towards the purchase of a bariatric bed and $25,000 for scholarships.
Service hour award recipients included Zella Fitts (16,700), Jane Byars (12,600), Virginia Rubenacker (12,200), Marty Simmons (7,600); Ronni Zawila (6,400); Pat Bailey (6,300); Pat Garren (4,700); Phyllis Sanders (4,200); Brenda Collins (3,700); Mary Wayer (3,600); Marilyn Davis (3,500); Rose Rankin (3,000); Arlene Cook and Roy Incer (2,900); Bonnie Kemner (2,500); Stephanie Toedte (2,100); Norma Dyer, Lynette Morgan, and Carolyn Vanzandt (2,000); Lee Myers (1,900); Judy Myers (1,600); Judy Luer (1,400); Marietta Lamberson and Pat Panarese (1,300); Mary Chambliss (1,200), Tersa Doherty (1,200), Mary Harlan (1,100), Teresa Black (1,000), Kenneth Dennis (900); Beverly Mullinax (600); Paul Pennington (400); Lori Kabat (300); Anh Stow, Julia Wallace, Valerie Shields, and Lynne Glattharr (200); Micah Arcuir, Janet Estes, Donna Evans, Barb Gajewski, Eileen Huff, Marcia Long-Croteau, and Kennth Martinek (100).
For 2025, the Auxiliary aims to raise $60,000 to fund mobile workstations in the Emergency Department, rocking chairs for the nursery, and cooling bassinets that allow parents the gift of time with deceased infants.
The steadfast commitment of our Auxiliary profoundly enhances the atmosphere of our health ministries, infusing it with a spirit of compassion and support that resonates deeply within the community. Their tireless efforts create a nurturing environment where care thrives and hope blossoms.
If you would like to become a volunteer, call 618-899-1031 (hospital), 618-899-1631 (hospice), or visit ssmhealth.com/volunteer.
About SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital – Mt. Vernon
SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital – Mt. Vernon, operating in partnership with the Felician Sisters, is a 134-bed hospital and has the most advanced robotic surgical system for minimally invasive surgery, a comprehensive neurosciences program, and a pediatric emergency and NICU telemedicine program operated in conjunction with the physicians at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, Mo.
In 2016, SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital was named a “Best Hospital” by US News and World Report for the treatment of congestive heart failure. In recent years, Healthgrades has presented SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital with the Patient Safety Excellence Award, Outstanding Patient Experience Award, and the Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence.
For more information, visit us at ssmhealth.com or find us on Facebook.
