RMC realized a need to update and improve the window treatments and formed a committee led by Henry Miller, director of Environmental Services, to evaluate the need, research options and recommend the best aesthetic and functional choice. “The committee, which consisted of representatives from infection control, nursing, senior leadership, customer service, engineering and other ancillary departments, worked diligently to find the most cost-efficient product for fulfilling these needs,” Miller explained.

“We chose a product from CWC Group out of Charlotte that we believe is the best shade produced for healthcare environments like our hospital,” said Miller. “This shade is the only one in the world that is both Greenguard Children and Schools certified and has microban antimicrobial protection.” (Greenguard Children and Schools certification meets or exceeds the strictest standards for indoor air quality. Microban antimicrobial protection continually works to inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew for the life of the shades.)

“Other great benefits of these new window treatments are that the shade material provides maximum performance in heat reduction and light control, is lead free, meets all fire regulations and provides an energy efficient environment for RMC,” Miller noted.

“The Auxiliary takes great pride in supporting opportunities to further enhance the comfort and wellbeing of RMC patients and their families,” commented RMC Vice President Brenda Williams, who is the lead administrative liaison for the Auxiliary. “This is the latest of many generous gifts from the Auxiliary, who delights in being a part of special projects like this to help others attain and maintain their best possible health. We are most appreciative of the Auxiliary’s generosity, especially during these challenging economic times, in support of improving the comfort as well as the aesthetics of our patient rooms and ultimately enhancing our patients’ healing process.”

RMC President Tom Dandridge commented that the Auxiliary has a very generous history of supporting RMC and the community. “Providing the facilities, equipment, services and resources needed to care for those we serve is our utmost priority,” said Dandridge, “and we are most appreciative for the Auxiliary’s generosity and strong support of this special project. The Auxiliary’s extremely generous gift is yet another shining example of their commitment to caring for the community.”

Organized in 1970 to provide volunteer services, promote community understanding and to raise funds for RMC, the RMC Auxiliary has been a major contributor to RMC. Volunteers give of their time and talents, as well as generous monetary gifts like the $100,000 in seed money the Auxiliary donated in 1989 for a new cancer treatment center, which opened in 1992. Another example of the Auxiliary's commitment to our community’s health and wellbeing was a $50,000 gift toward the purchase of a new custom-made RMC bloodmobile in 1996.

“I cannot say enough about the generosity of these dedicated volunteers — their hearts, hands and support of RMC and the community is overwhelming,” commented Williams. “They are the epitome of generosity, and their most recent gift of $120,000 is yet another demonstration of the Auxiliary's strong commitment to improving the community's health.”

Volunteers serve in 35 different departments; they operate the gift shop; deliver all hospital mail and flowers to patients; assist at the desk at admitting/outpatient, same-day surgery and main lobby information; give clerical and secretarial assistance to various departments; provide "Cuddle Care" nursery service; and provide a "courier service" for the cancer treatment center. The annual Christmas Tree Lighting program is the primary fund-raiser for the Auxiliary’s Verna Martin Compassionate Care Fund, which was designed to help patients and their families with a one-time emergency need.

For more information about the Regional Medical Center Auxiliary, please call 395-2425.