Saint Francis Auxiliary Recognizes Volunteers and Auxilians of the Year

Pictured left to right: Volunteer Coordinator, Teresa Lukefahr; Auxilian of the Year, Betty Carroll; Auxilian of the Year, Judi Owens; Volunteer of the Year, Cathy Pancoast; Volunteer of the Year, Eugene Beussink; and Vice President of Foundation and Marketing, Jimmy Wilferth.

Saint Francis Healthcare System’s Auxiliary held their annual Volunteer Christmas Breakfast at the Drury Plaza Conference Center in Cape Girardeau on December 7. Ninety three volunteers were in attendance, as well as members of the Saint Francis Executive Team.

Since 1989, 38 volunteers have been recognized as Volunteer of the Year at the breakfast, and this year, Saint Francis recognized two Volunteers of the Year and two Auxilians of the Year. Cathy Pancoast and Eugene Beussink were named Volunteers of the Year. Betty Carroll and Judi Owens were named Auxilians of the Year. The awards are based on years of service and hours volunteered.

“Every year, the real challenge is to pick the one volunteer who has served exceptionally well. The problem is, they all do, which is a good problem to have! We absolutely love our volunteers and appreciate all they help us accomplish. They faithfully live out our mission every day,” says Saint Francis Healthcare System’s Vice President of Foundation and Marketing, Jimmy Wilferth.

Pancoast has been a volunteer at Saint Francis Medical Center since 1993. Her first experience volunteering at Saint Francis was in the surgery waiting room. She now volunteers in Saint Francis’s Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Beussink has been a volunteer at Saint Francis Medical Center since 2005. As a Korean War Veteran, it is evident that he enjoys serving and giving back to his community. Beussink’s first volunteer experience with Saint Francis was installing emergency communication devices with the Saint Francis Foundation. He now volunteers in registration as a transporter.

Carroll has been a volunteer since 2009. In addition to being the President-elect of the Saint Francis Auxiliary Board, Carroll has committed many hours to Saint Francis, be it working hard within the Medical Center or sewing nearly 3,500 masks for the Healthcare System throughout the pandemic.

Owens has been a volunteer at Saint Francis Medical Center since 2009. Owens has committed numerous hours to Inspire Boutique and assisting Carroll with sewing masks during the pandemic. She currently serves as the President of the Auxiliary Board.