St. Joseph’s Hospitals Auxiliary Celebrates 60th Anniversary

Event honored nearly 3 million volunteer hours, more than $5 million raised

TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 16, 2017 — Yesterday (October 15), the St. Joseph’s Hospitals Auxiliary celebrated 60 years of service to the community with a special anniversary event. More than a hundred past and present volunteers and supporters came together to honor a legacy that spans six decades and has contributed nearly 3 million volunteer hours and more than $5 million in support of patients and caregivers in Hillsborough County. 

The St. Joseph’s Hospitals Auxiliary includes volunteer teams at St. Joseph’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital-North and St. Joseph’s Hospital-South. It has a long history of supporting the community through time given and funds raised:
- 7,255 volunteers since 1957
- 808 current volunteers
- More than 2.7 million hours (more than 162 million minutes) volunteered
- 35 current pet therapy dogs
- 19,061 volunteer hours from pet therapy dogs
- 154 teen volunteers, summer 2017
- More than $5 million raised by the auxiliary
- $1.5 million pledged for the next five years (2017-2021)
- Notable contributions to the hospitals inlcude: telemetry monitoring system; portable x-ray machine; multiple echocardiogram machines; overflow unit for emergency services; mobile intensive care unit; and an outpatient oncology infusion center at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North.

“Through their generosity and commitment, our volunteers have made such an important impact on the quality of care—both in patient experience, like pet therapy, and new clinical technologies donated—that we are able to provide at St. Joseph’s Hospitals,” said Judi Roberts, director of volunteer resources. “As much as they give, they also recognize what they get in return. They frequently tell me that they get so much out of volunteering that money can’t buy.”

About St. Joseph’s Hospital
St. Joseph’s Hospital, part of the BayCare Health System, is known for advanced medical technology and compassionate care. Its Centers of Excellence include the Heart Institute, Cancer Institute, Stroke and Neuroscience Program, Robotic Surgery Program and Emergency/Trauma Departments, which treats more patients than any other hospital in the Tampa Bay region. More than 70 specialties are represented among the medical staff, from internal medicine to cardiology, neurology to surgery.  The hospital was founded in 1934 by the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany. 

About BayCare Health System
BayCare is a leading not-for-profit health care system that connects individuals and families to a wide range of services at 14 hospitals and hundreds of other convenient locations throughout the Tampa Bay and central Florida regions. Inpatient and outpatient services include acute care, primary care, imaging, laboratory, behavioral health, home care, and wellness. Our mission is to improve the health of all we serve through community-owned, health care services that set the standard for high-quality, compassionate care.

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