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Wine lovers, unite! Whether you're a novice or an expert Winefest 2010 will provide you with a celebration to try a variety of styles, tastes and wineries as you enjoy an evening of sipping, nibbling and dancing the night away. Mark your...
• In the Vintage Spirit: Winefest 2010
• Leo Fitz 2009 Employee of the Year
• Twin County United Way Goal Achieved
• Chavez named Chief of Staff
Volunteer of the Year
Hands that Serve – Hearts that Care is an apt description of our 2009 Volunteer of the Year, Rita Myers. Rita, an Auxiliary member since 1999, is being recognized by her peers and SJRMC staff as a volunteer who exemplifies the mission and philosophy of the Medical Center through her volunteer work. Volunteering is simply a way of life for Rita. In addition to volunteering weekly in both the Infection Control office and the Elizabeth Shop, you will find her working on every special project and event when someone says “we need your help.”
Rita’s leadership skills complement her volunteer efforts and she has served on the Auxiliary board as president, past president, and public relations chairperson. In addition, she also served multiple years as co-chair of the In the Vintage Spirit wine event fundraiser. Also a leader at the state level, Rita was elected as the member-at-large for the Idaho Hospital Association Committee on Volunteers (COV) in 2005, followed by years as COV chair-elect in 2006-07 and COV chairperson in 2007-08. Currently serving as past COV chairperson, she is working on the spring and fall conferences for healthcare volunteers across the state.
A native of Liberty, New York, Rita and her husband Jerry, and their three children, Barb, Carol and Tim, moved here nearly 30 years ago. Early volunteering included roles as a Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout den mother, soccer coach and PTA member. She received the PTA Life Membership award for her service. Currently, Rita is on Lewiston Library Foundation Board, and is treasurer of the Tsceminicum Club. Active in St. Stanislaus Church, she is a eucharistic minister, a member of the Liturgy Committee and of St. Mary's League, having previously served there as treasurer and president. She volunteers with the NAIA World Series Ticket Office, is a member of P.E.O. Chapter AR, and currently co-chairman for the 2009 Idaho State P.E.O. Convention. Rita was on the Lewiston Independent Foundation for Education (L.I.F.E.) board for 18 years and was instrumental in establishing the Lewiston Youth Volunteer program.
Rita also serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for the American Cancer Society Resource Center located at SJRMC and is a member of the American Cancer Society Great West Division Leadership Council. She reflects that volunteering for the ACS is particularly important to her because of her family history and that it gives her an opportunity to share her knowledge in improving the quality of life for newly diagnosed cancer patients. As you can see, her dossier leaves little time for sleep, especially when you factor in that when she is not volunteering she loves to travel to visit her children and grandchildren. She also enjoys spending on the river or being in the stands at Stateline Speedway cheering her husband Jerry on to the finish line. We’d be remiss if we did not mention that Jerry is very often at Rita’s side supporting her in all her volunteer activities, and he has an impressive volunteer resume himself!
Rita states that, “I find volunteering rewarding as it gives me the opportunity to share my life experiences and skills with others. At the same time I am fortunate to be working together with many other wonderful volunteers making a difference in our community.”
Thank you Rita, for sharing your gifts at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center!
