Wilson Foundation Elects New Board Member

May 13, 2009

Members of the Wilson Memorial Hospital Foundation board of trustees met June 13 at the hospital. The annual meeting was held first, with Tom Boecker, president & CEO of the hospital, and Dan Bensman, chair of the foundation, offering comments.

Boecker began by extending appreciation to three outgoing board members. They include: Diane Meyer, Ft. Loramie, who served two three-year terms; Lloyd Schroer, Sidney, who served nine years; and Doug Stewart, Sidney, who also served nine years. Boecker also thanked all trustees for their help and continued support of the hospital.

He also noted that the in 2008, the charity ball and golf outing realized a profit of $78,000 for the foundation’s endowment fund; the annual appeal, the 1930 Club received donations of $63,107; and a grant from Honda along with donations from the community brought $49,200 in 2008 for the surgery department remodeling with another $40,000 to be received this year. Hospice received $117,972 in 2008 thanks for individuals and organizations who are committed to supporting this vital service. He also that the Wilson Auxiliary not only gave 21,500 hours of service to the hospital but also donated $25,000 to the hospital. “These are all remarkable tributes in support of Wilson Memorial Hospital considering today’s challenging economic environment,” Boecker noted.

Dan Bensman, chair of the foundation board, commended the foundation staff, Bonnie Faulkner, executive director, and Deanna Kindell, administrative assistant, for their valuable work during 2008 to make the foundation successful. He also noted the dedication of all the foundation trustees for their support and the additional work many members offered by working on committees to further programs such as the planned giving effort to increase the endowment for future generations.

The Wilson Memorial Hospital Foundation’s quarterly meeting followed. Bensman said that the nominating committee had selected a new candidate for trustee. By unanimous vote, board members elected a new trustee, Rose Swiger, for a three-year term of office.

Swiger has been an active volunteer for the Wilson Auxiliary since June, 1997, following her retirement from the workforce. She serves as the corresponding secretary as well as serves as a member of the Auxiliary board. Swiger held the office of president of the Wilson Auxiliary in 2001.

Swiger is currently a board member of the Sidney-Shelby County Senior Center and actively volunteers at the center. She is also on a walking team for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life annual event to help raise funds for curing cancer. In 2003, Swiger was named Shelby County Outstanding Senior Citizen. She and her husband, James, are members of the Sidney First United Methodist Church where they volunteer as needed. They live in Sidney and have three adult children: Thomas, Julie and Mark. They have eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Swiger was born in rural Shelby County and grew up with 11 siblings, one of which is her twin sister. She graduated from Sidney High School in 1950, and during that same year she began her career with Sidney Machine Tool Company in the accounting and purchasing departments. She was soon promoted within the company. During the 1960s, Swiger worked at Sidney Aluminum Products Company, first in the payroll department and later in an administrative position for the sales department. In 1973, the company was purchased by Consolidated Metco, Inc., and Swiger was promoted to purchasing agent.

In 1987, Swiger went to work for the Stolle Corporation in the personnel department and a year later was transferred to Alcoa Building Products. Her administrative responsibilities included the areas of international sales and management information systems. She retired ten years later.

Also during the quarterly meeting, Bensman noted that the officers remain the same for another year. He will remain chair; Ken Monnier is chair-elect; and Mike Dodds is secretary/treasurer. Three trustees have agreed to serve another three-year term: Bruce Dickman; Mike Dodds; and Tom Milligan.