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Selected: Mount Sinai Auxiliary Board Papers, 1918-2008

Summary |Preface | History |Scope and Content | Subject Headings | Container List

Summary

Title: Mount Sinai Auxiliary Board Records
Dates: 1918-2008
Volume: 6 boxes, 52 inches

Preface

The bulk of these records were received in August of 2009. Other accretions had come to the Archives earlier. It is anticipated that additional records will be added later.

History

The Mount Sinai Auxiliary Board was created in 1974 as a joint committee of the Boards of Trustees of The Mount Sinai Hospital and Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Prior to this, the group had been called the Women's Auxiliary Board (WAB) from 1954-1974. The Women's Auxiliary Board was created by merging the original Mount Sinai Hospital Ladies Auxiliary (founded in 1868) with the Social Service Auxiliary, formed in 1916 with the specific mission of supporting the Social Service Department at Mount Sinai. (N.B. The records of the Ladies Auxiliary Society are composed of one box of material dating from 1868-1945 and these are housed separately.)

The Social Service Auxiliary initially consisted of nineteen women who visited patients' homes, supported sending children to summer camps, worked in and supported the efforts of outpatient clinics, especially the cardiac clinic, and provided food and financial help to patient families in need. Early leaders of the Social Service Auxiliary included Mrs. Alfred A. Cook, Mrs. Herbert H. Lehman, and Mrs. Walter Hirsch. Mrs. Lehman was the founding President and Mrs. Cook was the President of the Auxiliary from 1917-1951.

Today's Auxiliary Board continues the mission of the Social Service Auxiliary to: "promote the general welfare of the patient and family by complementing the hospital's clinical activities with a variety of social and educational services." As noted in their literature, "Through its contribution of time, service and seed money for new projects, the Mount Sinai Auxiliary Board has a vital and significant role in maintaining excellence at the Mount Sinai Medical Center." This is witnessed by their creation of and early support for many projects that have grown to be integral parts of Mount Sinai, including the Gift Shop, the patients' library, the Rehabilitation workshop, R.E.A.P., recreational and occupational therapy, the Volunteer Department, the Health Education Department, and numerous projects in support of the Social Work Services Department. Through its various committees, the Auxiliary Board raises funds, oversees grant Project Review and Funding, stays abreast of legislative efforts that bear on healthcare, and provides educational programs for members. The President of the Auxiliary also serves as an ex-officio member of the Mount Sinai Boards of Trustees and as such provides a voice in support of patient-centered programs at the Medical Center.

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Scope and Content Note

The files of the Auxiliary Board form three series: Alphabetical Files, Minutes, and Project Files. The Alphabetical Files include the annual reports of the Auxiliary, as well as guidelines for the Program Review Committee, brochures about the group, by-laws, and miscellaneous memos. The Minutes of the Board date from 1918-May 2002. Included here are also Legislative Committee minutes from 10/1978-1986. The Project Files have folders for each project funded from 1969-2008. The files contain: Project Review and Funding Committee minutes relating to that project, project proposals, correspondence with the grantee, budget/account information on each project, and reports of the project. Sometimes flyers, newsletters or other products about the project are included in the files. The changing scope of the projects reflects the changes at Mount Sinai as well as in healthcare in general.

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Subject Headings

Cardiology
Fund Raising
Hospital Auxiliaries
Out Patient Department
Pediatrics
Social Service

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Container List

Barbara J. Niss
September 9, 2009

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