Mount Zion Auxiliary Installs New President

By Eve Harris

Meredithe Mendelsohn, MPA, was installed as president of the Auxiliary of the UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion in a brief ceremony June 15. Mendelsohn is the former administrator of the UCSF Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center and has served on the auxiliary board for the past five years. Barbara Sonnenblick, PhD, Alice Huberman and Cindy Perlis were sworn as vice presidents. Co-treasurers are Ann Terranova and Roberta Rosen; co-secretaries are Melanie Sperling, PhD, and Gail Schechter, PhD. "The board and I want to thank (outgoing) President Susan Dean, Kay Thompson and Al Zemsky and commend their performance during the last year," Mendelsohn said. More than $53,000 was distributed during FY 2004-2005 by the Auxiliary with the largest gifts going to the Ida and Joseph Friend Cancer Resource Center and Art for Recovery. Mendelsohn emphasized her interest in increasing auxiliary visibility and membership. Looking ahead to the planned expansion of medical services at Mount Zion, Mendelsohn said, "We want to grow the auxiliary to be able to provide funding for the corresponding level of patient services." The auxiliary was formed in 1897 to provide and advocate for patient services. It administers donor-directed memorial funds and raises unrestricted funds through its membership and gift solicitations and fundraising events. In addition, the Ruth Ann Rosenberg Gift Shop and the Friend to Friend Specialty Gift Shop direct their profits to the Auxiliary. Both are located in the lobby of the UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion. The Friend to Friend shop has recently added online shopping to its services for people living with cancer. The shop stocks specialty merchandise such as wigs in addition to other health-related items. The auxiliary's major, annual fundraiser -- now known as "Love and Laughter" (formerly Rx Laughter) -- will be held at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco. This benefit is a fabulous evening of comedy and talent, featuring Father Guido Sarducci. Also appearing will be Will Durst, master of ceremonies, along with Kira Soltanovich, James P. Connolly, Chris Voth and music by Theee Stupeds. Tickets are $40, $60 and $100. To order tickets, please call 415/885-7354. "I hope everyone is saving the date!" Mendelsohn said. Source: Eve Harris