UVA Hospital Auxiliary
WHAT IS THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA HOSPITAL AUXILIARY? The University of Virginia Hospital Auxiliary is comprised of volunteers and non-volunteers who have been united since 1908. They share the common goal of providing aid and comfort to patients and their families through direct contact or through fund-raising that benefits patients. The Auxiliary, as a dynamic and powerful advocate for patients and volunteers, fulfills this goal by sponsoring ongoing patient support programs, holding special events, raising funds and providing volunteer support, all of which benefit the hospital community as a whole.
Being a volunteer means you are automatically a member of the Auxiliary. Each volunteer has a Auxiliary Liaison on the Auxiliary Board who will keep you informed about programs, events and fund raisers the Auxiliary supports.
History of Support and Funding
In 1908, the UVA Hospital Circle of the Kings' Daughters debuted. They cared for patients by visiting with them, making clothing for them and serving delicacies.
In the 1920's, the Hospital Circle provided money to fund the first full time Social Worker.
In the 1940's, the Hospital Circle created the Outpatient Department Canteen
In the 1960's, the name changed to Women's Auxiliary of the University Hospital and they established the Family Lounge and began making Pinkie the Puppet.
During the 1980's, the Alex Sawyer Hospitality House was created to provide inexpensive lodging for patients' families. The Health Resource Center opened to provide free consumer health information to community members, patients and their families.
In the 21st century, volunteers are automatically Auxiliary members. The Auxiliary pledged $100,000 to fund the new Hospital Auxiliary Hospitality House on 14th Street which has increased it's size from 35 beds to 62 beds.
April 2011 was the grand opening of Flourish, the Positive Image Boutique, housed in the new Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center. Flourish provides hard to find items for men and women receiving cancer therapy. It has additional accessories, i.e. jewelry, hats, scarves, books for patients, their families, staff and volunteers to purchase.
