Mission
The Advocates is a membership organization of volunteers whose mission is to serve Upstate Medical University and its campuses. We do that primarily in two ways:
- Direct service projects to improve and enhance patient care
- Fund raising to provide funds in support of patient care enhancement and education
Board of Directors 2012–2013
Sharon Putney, President
Jean Seale, VP Service
Amy Vanderlyke, VP Membership Marketing
Theresa Devennie VP Fund Development
Silvia Soos-Kazel & Ted Topalian, VP Advocates for CG
Gloria Hoffman, Treasurer
Judy Carr, Secretary
Linda Martino
Mark Murphy
Jean Pirozzi
Robert Pirozzi
Edward Priest
Susan Ross
Libby Rubenstein
Don White
Claire Wightman
Betty Brown
Bernie Bunce
Rosemary Carr
Nancy Chepenuk
Marty Cuddy
Rosemary Fenneman
Josie Glos
Karen Goldman
Bertha Jacobs
Ex-Officio
Bonnie McCabe
Karen Wentworth—Director PATIENTSfirst!
Kristin Schofield—Director Volunteer Services - CG
Manager for Business & Administration
Susan York
We are structured into three different committee areas—Service, Membership/Marketing, and Fund Development.
2N "Take me out to the ballgame" ice cream cake
Service Committee
The Service Committee has collaborated with periodic educational opportunities for our members and others in the community through our partnership with HealthLink. The members have hosted special events in the hospital, such as food and entertainment for psychiatric patients and rehabilitation patients who are here for long lengths of stay. They staff the hospital blood drives as well.
On April 17th you could hear the crack of the bat hitting a home run in 2N (Rehab). "Take me out to the ball game" was our theme. Fourteen patients attended the event. Each one had a good time and ate wonderful food. Patients who could not leave their rooms were served their meal. We played baseball trivia with prizes awarded to the winners. Prize donors included Tim Horton's and The Advocates. It was great evening of fun which was made possible by The Advocates and a hard-working "team" of volunteers.
2012-13 scheduled blood drives:
- Upstate Campus:
Thursday, January 10—9:30 am – 5 pm
Friday, January 1—7 am – 1 pm
Thursday, April 25—9:30 am – 5pm
Friday, April 26—7 am – 1 pm
Thursday, July 11—9:30 am – 5 pm
Friday, July 12—7 am – 1 pm - Upstate at Community Campus:
Wednesday, January 9—12 pm – 6 pm
Thursday, January 10—7 am – 1 pm
Monday, May 6—12 pm – 6 pm
Tuesday, May 7—7 am – 1 pm
Tuesday, August 6—12 pm – 6 pm
Wednesday, August 7—7 am – 1 pm
Fund Development
The Fund Development Committee is reseaching new ideas to raise funds through in-house vendors, supplemental and sales and fun events.
Events for 2013 include:
15th Annual Mystery, Malt & Merlot—Friday, April 12, 2013
14th Annual Fall Swing Golf Tournament—Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Strong leadership through the years, resourcefulness, and a focus on identifying and acting on ways to improve patient care, have enabled The Advocates to fulfill its mission. We are prepared to meet the future of University Hospital and Upstate Medical University.