BWMH Auxiliary Now Operating Under The Title Of 'Volunteers'

If you have been around Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital Auxiliary members of late, you may have noticed a change or two. One notable change is that the organization recently changed their name from Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital Auxiliary to Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital Volunteers.

"It was a decision made on the state level to change our name in order to comply with regulations," said member Joyce Brom. "They felt it better described what we do."

The name change was actually done on the state level in 2021.

Changing the name on the local level did not happen until recently.

"We learned at one of  our state meetings that we had to change the name if we still wanted to be a part of the Hospital Auxiliaries of Kansas," Brom said. "We adopted the name this year so that we would be compliant."

HVK says they are a "state organization that coordinates its member auxiliaries and   volunteer organizations."

Hospital Auxiliaries of Kansas (HAK) changed its name to the Hospital Volunteers of Kansas (HVK) in September 2021, according to their Website.

"Hospital Auxiliaries of Kansas" changed their name to "Hospital Volunteers of Kansas" to better reflect the modern role of volunteers in hospitals, moving beyond the traditional 'auxiliary' concept which might be seen as outdated and less inclusive of diverse volunteer activities in today's healthcare landscape; the new name emphasizes the broader contribution of volunteers to the hospital system," the Website states.

HVK noted some key points on the Website about the name change:

Modernization: Volunteers is considered a more contemporary term compared to "auxiliary".

Broader scope:The new name signifies that volunteers can contribute in various ways beyond traditional tasks like gift shops or fundraising.

Inclusivity: The change aims to attract a wider range of people interested in volunteering at hospitals.

Along with the new name, BWMH Volunteers also decided on a new logo.

"We came up with that," Brom said. "Our motto is helping hands, caring hearts - it describes what we do."

Note: Recently the BWMH Volunteers hosted their annual "Chocolate Affair" at the hospital. The event is a fundraiser to raise money for local scholarships to go to those who are pursuing a career in the medical field.  Each year, the Volunteers hope to raise $700-$1,000 for at least one local scholarship. This year's event brought in $1,490.