Above all, the story of the Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital Auxiliary is founded on a love of Virginia's Eastern Shore by those who call it home. Before a single brick was placed for a hospital in this region, the first Auxilians were already hard at work gathering support and funds.
Today, the passion is the same. Auxiliary members work to support the care and services available at Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital through fundraising efforts and special Auxiliary events throughout the year.
The vast contributions of the Auxiliary have supported team member continuing education as well as leadership funding for construction and equipment in nearly every area of the hospital.
The Carousel Gift Shop just off the hospital lobby is run by the Auxiliary for the shopping pleasure and convenience of both the community and team members. It is staffed by Auxiliary volunteers.
If you would like to learn more about becoming a part of the RSMH Auxiliary or are interested in volunteering at one of our exciting events, please read more about membership.
The Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital Board of Directors recognizes the dedicated support of the RSMH Auxiliary:
Our History
The organization now known as the Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital Auxiliary actually began in the 1910's before the hospital even existed. A hospital on the Eastern Shore of Virginia was a dream that originated with Dr. William J. Sturgis Sr. After a meeting held by Dr. Sturgis in Nassawadox to begin organizing for a new hospital, Bessie Anderson, a recent widow whose husband died from appendicitis, was determined to bring Dr. Sturgis's dream to fruition.
Mrs. Anderson organized the Hospital Auxiliary and was the driving force behind its unwavering efforts to raise enough funds, dollar by dollar, for a local hospital. Auxilians canvassed door to door for donations. Some people who did not have a spare dollar or two to donate would instead bake cakes for bake sales. The support of Eastern Shore residents continued to grow, with door to door donations totaling $2,000 one year, a staggering amount at that time.
As the Auxiliary members raised funds, they purchased bricks and windows as they were able, storing them in a barn until construction advanced to the point where the items were needed. Six Auxilians even took out personal loans to begin assembling the bricks up to the second floor.
The result of the tireless efforts of these original Auxiliary members was Northampton-Accomack Memorial Hospital, a 25-bed facility that opened in 1928 and served as the first hospital on Virginia's Eastern Shore.
The Hospital Auxiliary's fundraising efforts support local health care. In each major construction undertaking in the hospital's history, the Auxiliary has stepped in with early and significant funding.
Auxiliary donations are allocated as needed for improvement projects. A sample of past projects includes:
- Staff continuing education and nursing scholarships.
- Leadership funding for the relocated Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital in Onancock.
- Leadership funding for the Lloyd J. Kellam, III, M.D. Heart Center at RSMH in Onancock.
- Leadership funding for the 2003 construction of the Riverside Shore Cancer Center in Nassawadox. This building has been converted to Riverside Eastern Shore Family Medicine.
- A surgical instrument sterilizer for the hospital's operating rooms, allowing the team to quickly and safely clean equipment and operating rooms between patients so that more patients can be treated in a day, thereby reducing wait times for surgery.
- Wireless mother/baby heart rate monitors that allow laboring mothers to not be confined to bed.
- Leading-edge bassinets to keep newborns safe.
- Electrocardiogram (EKG) equipment to check for heart conditions.
- Equipment used in cataract surgery in the OR.
- A state-of-the-art vascular ultrasound to spot vascular disease that can lead to stroke, pulmonary embolism, and other life-threatening conditions.
- Equipment that rapidly and safely delivers warmed blood and fluids for ER patients in need.
- Patient room comforts including ICU beds, bariatric beds and wheelchairs, sleeper chairs for guests and rocking chairs for maternity rooms.
- Training equipment including an infant-sized mannequin for maternity.
The Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital Auxiliary is an impressive team of dedicated volunteers. To learn more about volunteering with RSMH Auxiliary, contact a committee chair listed below.
Executive Committee
- Wendy Lilliston - President ([email protected])
- Shannon Lewis - Vice President, Accomack County ([email protected])
- Courtney Nottingham - Vice President, Northampton County ([email protected])
- Sarah Bingman - Secretary ([email protected])
- Kristin Webb - Treasurer ([email protected])
Carousel Gift Shop
- Kristin Webb - Coordinator ([email protected]) or call the Shop at 757-302-2155.
Festival Of Lights
- Courtney Nottingham - Chair ([email protected])
Hospital Ball
- Anne Kyle Doughty - Co-chair ([email protected])
- Brittany Lewis - Co-chair ([email protected])
Volunteers are always gladly welcomed. If you can give some time, please email the Chair of your area of interest.
The Auxiliary’s signature events form the backbone of its fundraising efforts and facilitate the many projects it supports throughout the year.
- Fire and Ice casual event in February
- Hospital Ball black tie gala in September
- Festival of Lights to celebrate the holidays in December
- The Auxiliary general meetings are open to the public and are held on the second Mondays in January and May, and the third Monday in October.
Joining RSMH Auxiliary
Thank you for your interest in joining the Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Since 1920 our dedicated members have worked to support first class health care services on the Eastern Shore. Our mission remains the same today.
To learn more about becoming a part of this esteemed group, please e-mail the Auxiliary member in your area.
- Shannon Lewis (Vice President, Accomack County) at [email protected]
- Courtney Nottingham (Vice President, Northampton County) at [email protected]
Volunteering with RSMH Auxiliary
None of our events or special projects would exist without the commitment of some of Virginia's best volunteers. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to partner with community members who give of their time and talents to serve with the RSMH Auxiliary. And of course, we are always happy to welcome new volunteers!
For more information about volunteering, please contact the appropriate event Chair from the Committees page above.
Hospital Ball Co-Chairs: Anne Kyle Doughty and Brittany Lewis
Festival of Lights Chair: Courtney Nottingham
Fire and Ice: Sally Schreiber at [email protected]
Carousel Gift Shop: Call the Shop at 757-302-2155
Shop hours: Mon-Friday, 10am-2pm (not open on Saturdays)
