Gift Recognition

You can’t help but notice the new podium for volunteers at the front entrance. In order to enhance our patient and family experience at Geauga Medical Center, our volunteers now meet, greet, and offer directions to people who enter the lobby as an added service.

Our ability to provide the podium was due to financial gifts donated through the Janet A. Miller memorial fund. Janet, a dedicated volunteer at the East Desk for 20 years, passed away last September and a plaque now adorns the podium in her memory.

Several gifts, totaling more than $350 to date, were made to Geauga Medical Center at the request of Janet’s husband, Russ, who suggested memorial gifts in lieu of flowers because of Janet’s fondness and dedication to this hospital. “It’s really heartwarming they’d remember Janet like this,” says Mr. Miller of the podium purchased in his late wife’s memory. “It’s really touching.”

There are many needs that our community could meet through donations to the hospital. Anyone wishing to honor Janet Miller is welcome to make a check payable to: University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center – in the memo area please write “in memory of Janet Miller.”

UH Geauga Medical Center Receives Second-Largest Gift Ever

University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center has received its second-largest gift in its more than 50-year history. In her will, dress shop owner Agnes Virginia “Peggy” Warner Williams, 89, of Middlefield, Ohio, left $628,824.93 to UH Geauga Medical Center. In honor of her generosity and caring spirit, Ms. Williams has been named to the Diamond Legacy Society, which recognizes those who have included UH in their estate planning.

Ms. Williams lived most of her life in Parkman and Middlefield, both in Geauga County. She was a member of the Crescent 7 Order of Eastern Star of Garrettsville and of Parkman Congregational Church for more than 50 years. She loved music and played the keyboard for many years, and was also an avid golfer and highly skilled seamstress. In addition to owning a dress shop, she worked at a local insurance firm as an agent.

As part of the UH Vision 2010 enhancements to its Heart and Vascular Center, UH Geauga will unveil its exciting plans for Ms. Williams’ gift in 2008, honoring her wish that it go to the center’s Cardiology Department.

Memorial gift on behalf of Ruth Douglas Barnes

Volunteers at University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center often work behind the scenes but they are all highly visible these days, thanks to their bright new apparel.

Crimson-red polo shirts—emblazoned with the distinctive UH shield and logo—have become the official “uniform” for the Chardon hospital’s 150-plus individuals who selflessly donate their time by performing essential duties such as transporting patients, delivering mail and staffing the gift shop.

The purchase of new shirts was made possible through memorial gifts on behalf of Ruth Douglas Barnes, whose 33 years as a volunteer ended only when she suffered a serious injury after slipping on ice at age 90.

Mrs. Barnes, a native of Orrville, was married for 50 years to William Barnes, a pharmacist and business owner in Middlefield who served on the board at Geauga Community Hospital—the hospital’s original name—for 20 years. Mrs. Barnes embarked on her volunteer career in the 1970s, starting as a patient transporter and moving to the information desk. The Ruth Barnes Memorial Gift was established following her death in November 2007 at the age of 93.

There are many needs that our community could meet through donations to the hospital. Any one wishing to honor Ruth Barnes is welcome to make a check payable to: University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center – in the memo area please write “in memory of Ruth Barnes.”