A New Year of Service in Our Hospitals

As we begin our new hospital program year, I want to highlight a few changes this coming year, and welcome all new Auxiliary Hospital Chairpersons to this rewarding, and one of the oldest National Organization programs.

At President Frank’s first Council of Administration meeting it was approved to immediately add the new Sallisaw VA to the sites supported by the department on a monthly basis. In addition it was approved that hospital quotas would increase from $3.00 per auxiliary member to $4.00 per auxiliary member effective July 2027, based on the 2026-2027 MALTA June 30 numbers. For planning purposes we want to give auxiliaries plenty of advance notice.

Laquetta McCarter is the VAVS representative for Oklahoma City, and I am the VAVS representative for Muskogee VA Hospital and the Sallisaw Veterans Home. Tina Bates is the Hospital Representative for Sallisaw, appointed by our President, Frank Matek. Sallisaw is new to us this year and federally approved under the Department of Veterans Affairs. These positions report to the Hospital chairperson of any VA Veteran’s needs, upcoming events, new hospital or center policies, and promoting the VA Volunteer Services program, as well as informing auxiliaries in their districts of ways they can be of service to these facilities.

This year our Ambassador wants to remind us to remember and honor veterans on traditional holidays, as well as nontraditional holidays. This can be at VA Hospitals, or your local senior nursing care veteran or community facilities and clinics.

Volunteering is a rewarding experience and one an auxiliary member knows all too well.

This year we can make a difference by keeping your reporting up to date, recognizing members who truly make a difference under this program, and knowing where you can best serve this program. I mention in the program book that volunteering at facilities is not for everyone, but there are so many other ways members can contribute and be counted for volunteer hours.

Stay tuned for my next newsletter as I will be communicating any VA updates, and opportunities for those that can volunteer at our VA Hospitals. If you are a new chairperson and not sure where to begin, I can help, just email or call me.

Cheryl Campbell

Hospital Chairperson

Susan Nicholson

Hospital Co-Chair