Auxiliary Presents $240,000 Gift to Emerson Hospital

Robert Cantu, MD, chief of neurosurgery service and associate chair of the Department of Surgery at Emerson Hospital, was the featured speaker at the annual meeting of the Emerson Hospital Auxiliary on Oct. 16 at the Nashawtuc Country Club in Concord.

In his presentation, “The Concussion Crisis: Where Are We Today,” Dr. Cantu discussed sports-related concussions in our youth. The Concord Health Care Center generously sponsored the meeting by providing a copy of Dr. Cantu’s book, Concussions and Our Kids, to all attendees. The senior advisor to the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee, Dr. Cantu is a pioneer in concussion diagnosis and treatment, known worldwide for his knowledge of catastrophic head and neck injuries.

Also at the event, Sally Savelle, president of the Emerson Hospital Auxiliary, announced a $240,000 gift to the hospital, which includes a record $128,000 contributed by the Emerson Gift Shop. The donation will be used to support a variety of programs at the hospital, including the Mass General Cancer Center at Emerson Hospital-Bethke, the Pediatric Intervention Team, transport equipment, cardiac rehabilitation, and the Emerson Employee Assistance Fund. 

Savelle noted the valuable contributions made by Auxiliary members and volunteers. For example, volunteers make the teddy bears that are included in pediatric coping kits for children entering Emerson’s emergency department and pediatric unit. Others make soft, comfortable cancer caps for patients receiving oncology treatment at Emerson. 

Christine Schuster, president and CEO of Emerson, thanked the Auxiliary and Gift Shop for the gift, acknowledging, “Nobody does it alone.” She expressed her appreciation for the many members, volunteers and activities, and congratulated the organization on its 89th anniversary. 

The Emerson Hospital Auxiliary supports the hospital through community awareness, patient support and fundraising activities. Anyone interested in becoming a member or learning about the Auxiliary should contact Karen McCarthy at 978-371-2133.