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Shooting for women’s healthcare

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RMCHCS golf tourney raises $350K

The Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services raised approximately $350,000 of a $750,000 goal to upgrade and renovate the Dr. Philip Kamps Women’s Health and Birthing Center. The funds were raised at its 23rd Annual Charity Invitational Golf Tournament on September 14 at the Fox Run Golf Course in Gallup.

“Our fund raising efforts set a new record with the highest amount raised in the tournament’s 23-year history,” RMCHCS CEO David Conejo said. “This will go a long way to upgrading the Women’s Health Center by providing a superior level of birthing and overall care for the women of McKinley County. We thank the community for their generous support.”

The tournament drew dozens of golfers into 17 teams with 39 sponsors representing local businesses and independent groups.

Golfer’s entry fee packages included meals, green fees, golf carts, range balls, gifts, prizes, and a goody bag. There were also individual prizes for the longest drive and the closest to the pin, won by Ernie Abeita and Joe Colaianni, respectively. Unfortunately, no one won a new automobile which was the prize for a hole-in-one.

The winning teams claimed cash prizes and a set of Bluetooth headphones. First prize of $175 was claimed by the Amigos car dealership’s team of Rafa Rodriguez, Michael Peters, Richard Madrid and Victor Garcia. A $150 second prize was Abeita’s Oil Company’s team of Ernie and Albert Albeita, Raymond Etcitty and Paul Acosta. Winners of the headphone set were Auxiliary members William Lewis, Buddy Balkovitch, Victor Madrid and Thomas Martinez.

Women’s Center Upgrades

Funds raised by the tournament will be used for labor and delivery beds, fetal monitors, comfortable visitor chairs, computers, and infant wards/resuscitation units.

“We want to change the vibe of the center and make mothers feel more connected to the birthing process and their families,” Director of the Women’s Health Center, Carrie Mikos said. “We want to ensure that labor, delivery, recover[y] and postpartum rooms are one physical unit that unites families rather than separating them by room functions and a central nurses station, instead of individual stations.”

These additions and renovations are the first phase of the project followed by a second phase consisting of College Clinic construction costs that will increase clinic space and expand the Family Medicine Residency Program.

“Our goal is to create a family atmosphere with learning opportunities that will result in McKinley County residents wanting to continue on with the hospital for its Family Medicine and Obstetrical Residency Program after they give birth.

A third phase is designed to focus on sustaining the residency program, expanding the College Clinic and building a future program.

2019 Charity Invitational Golf Tournament Honoree

“In keeping with tradition, every year RMCH honors a hospital employee during the tournament for their outstanding service to the hospital,” said Rhonda Ray, director of marketing. “This year we selected Terry Fuhs, an RN, MSN, CEN, CPEN, and Clinical Educator.”

In 1978 Fuhs began her career with RMCH as an assistant nurse, eventually earning an LPN, RN, BSN, and MSN. Fuhs is a 41-year veteran of RMCH, having worked in various hospital departments while earning kudos and several awards, including RMCH Nurse of the Year, The Thomas Carmany Award, the 1994 NM Hospital Association Meritorious Awards for professional excellence, and volunteer efforts. She has also been named RMCHCS Employee of the Month three times.

Funds are still being raised for the Women’s Center as the next Charity Invitational event readies for the RMCHCS Gala October 19. Its theme is “Faces on Parade,” a masquerade ball. Attendees are encouraged to dress accordingly.

For more information on Women’s Center donations or the ball, contact Rhonda Ray or Clarice Begay at (505) 863-7024 or (505) 863-7283.

By William Madaras
For the Sun

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