Staff photos/Rhonda Silence The Hospital Auxiliary planning committee members (L-R) Mary McElevey, Evelyn MacDonald, Nancy Lindquist. (Not pictured Carol Quaife).
The North Shore Hospital Auxiliary has a long history of answering needs for the North Shore Hospital and Care Center. The auxiliary was in existence a year before the hospital itself and members helped bring quality health care to Cook County. The organization has once again made a contribution to the hospital in honor of two physicians who also played an integral role in the medical history of the county, Dr. Richard J. Soderberg and Dr. Roger MacDonald.
On Friday, August 21, with the help of hospital maintenance workers Mike Littfin and Charlie Butter, giclée portraits of the two doctors were hung in the hospital waiting room, next to an oil painting of Dr Wallace R. Smith. Auxiliary member Mary McElevey said the organization felt it was fitting to have the much-loved doctors recognized as the hospital celebrates its 50th anniversary. McElevey said Soderberg and his wife, Marilyn “Mim,” worked hard to establish a hospital in Cook County. “Dr. Soderberg was here when the hospital was ‘born,'” said McElevey.
Dr. MacDonald is being honored not just because he was a favorite of so many patients, but because of his longevity as a North Shore Hospital physician. He has treated generations of patients.
The Hospital Auxiliary has funded many other more practical hospital needs such as furnishing for a room for doctors who need to stay at the hospital for extended periods.
The auxiliary raises money through fundraisers, such as its Pie Social during the Grand Marais Arts Festival and via donations. For 25 years the auxiliary raised money through its popular Holiday Homes Tour.
The Hospital Auxiliary is also funding the gala 50th anniversary open house on Saturday, September 12 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the lower level of the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic.
The celebration will honor all those who have helped promote quality health care in Cook County since 1958: physicians, nurses, technicians, health care workers, employees, board members, volunteers and the public.
Cake and coffee will be served and memories will be shared.
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