Catherine McAuley Society

Catherine McAuley Society

The Catherine McAuley Society is a women’s philanthropic group supporting the fundraising efforts of the Friends of Mercy Foundation. Members continue the incredible legacy of Catherine McAuley, Foundress of Mercy Hospital’s founding congregation — Sisters of Mercy. Her selfless acts of kindness, generosity and commitment to those less fortunate is what makes her legacy so special and what inspires our members to continue to support our fundraising efforts. As a member of the Catherine McAuley Society you will have the opportunity to follow in her footsteps and impact our community in a positive way. 

Membership in the Catherine McAuley Society requires a $1,000 gift each year you are a member. Members are invited to three hosted luncheons over a twelve-month period and as a group vote to direct 100% of society funds to the Mercy Hospital project that is most meaningful to them. 

Would you like to become a member of this women's philanthropic group supporting the fundraising efforts of the Friends of Mercy Foundation? Join now and pay via credit card by clicking the “Donate Now” button. You can also send in your donation of $1,000 to the Friends of Mercy Foundation at PO Box 119, Bakersfield CA 93302 or contact FriendsofMercy@DignityHealth.org or (661) 663-6700.

Logo for Catherine McAuley Society Since this group's founding in 2005, more than $1,900,000
has been raised in support of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Rapid Infuser - The Belmont rapid infuser is able to provide reliable, high-speed delivery of rapidly warmed blood products and fluids to the mother’s circulatory system as soon as possible.  These rapid infusers are simple, safe, effective and are the best to use to help us warm and replace blood products effortlessly. 
  • Ligasure - During a surgical hemorrhage or procedures, the physician can use this device to fuse vessels and stop bleeding quicker than they could if they had used sutures (stiches) to stop blood vessels from bleeding.
  • Epidural Chair - The epidural chair is used for positioning patients safely and securely during epidural procedures and spinals while allowing the nurses to have better access to the fetal heart tones during these procedures in an effort to maximize fetal safety.
  • Giraffe Warmer - a specialized crib that allows staff to care for the baby without having to move them, eliminating pain and discomfort for the little ones. It also provides the optimum environment for the baby, offering thermal stability, protection from sound and light and protection from “nuisance touch”, and promotion of positive touch and handling.
  • Trident HD Specimen Radiography System - innovative equipment located in the operating room when a surgeon is doing lumpectomy and breast tissue conserving treatment. The equipment can immediately verify the excised tissue to ensure the margins are clear. There is no need to transport the specimen to another room for imaging, which means additional procedure time. This not only improves the workflow in the OR but more importantly, results in fewer patients needing to have repeat surgeries.
  • Advanced VDR-4 ventilators used to care for our sickets patients in which regular ventilators are unable to support.These devices offer an additional option for the Intensive Care Unit physicians and respiratory staff for patients who are not progressing on conventional ventilators. In many cases, they can a higher level of respiratory support to those who are most critical, specifically those suffering from respiratory related illnesses. Mercy's Angel Baby Program, providing care, comfort and assistance to families who have experience an infant loss.
  • Breast Cancer treatment in the form of an Intraoperative Radiation Therapy device, which delivers focused radiation to a patient during the resection surgery. For appropriate breast cancer patients, this 20-30 minute treatment replaces the traditional radiation schedule of 5 days a week for 6 weeks.  Additionally, it leaves the skin intact, creating a more normal looking breast post-surgery. We will be the only hospital between San Francisco and LA to have this treatment option.
  • Advanced retina scanning technology that is key to maintaining optimal eye health in the most vulnerable of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit patients
  • Blue Light Cystoscopy System to enhance the detection and management of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer – this unit is the only of its kind between Los Angeles and Fresno; and a Microtome used to diagnose many conditions including early stages of cancer
  • Advanced equipment used to treat patients suffering from cardiac arrest and pneumonia
  • Breast MRI to assist with the early detection of breast cancer
  • 4D Echocardiogram used in the diagnosis of heart disease
  • Sleeper chairs and sofas providing comfort to our patients and families
  • Upgrades to operating rooms primarily used for cancer related surgeries
  • Specialized technology for monitoring and treating Mercy’s tiniest patients
  • State-of-the-art ultrasound to detect cancerous tumors; and heart defects in babies
  • Skin ulcer prevention equipment to better treat elderly and bed-ridden patients
  • Lifesaving training equipment for Mercy’s caregivers
  • Nursing scholarships for single parents

For recent and past luncheon photos, please visit the Friends of Mercy Facebook page.

2022-2023 Catherine McAuley Society Members

*Charter Member, Deceased

Cherie Aaron
Maureen Andrew
Kristina Andrew
Antonette S. Anich*
Rosemary Anspach*
Kathyrine Balfour
Sandy Banducci*
Olivia Bantz
Marie Batey
Edith Bianco
Lynda Bittleston
Tricia Bland
Annie P. Boehning, NP
Michele Borel
Alissa Buckey*
Vicki Burger
Sharon Bush*
Karrie Camp
Pat Campbell*
Debbie Cappello*
Naida Carlton
Kaye M. Cartnal
Sylvia Cattani*
Susan Cerri-Buck
Jennice M. Cerrina
Julie Cesare
Michelle Chantry
Becky Clark
Terri Collins
Kathy Crettol
Sarah Crowley
Candace Cummings
Lisa de Pencier
Joan Dezember*
Fern DiNicola*
Joyce Downs
Jennifer B. Drake
Simona Dulcich
Kristina Elholm-Spitzer
Cherilee Ezell
Gina Fanucchi
Judith Fanucchi
Melissa Fortune
Marilyn H. Fowler
Judy Franconi*
Jan Froehlich
Sheila Fry
Sheryl Gallion
Lynette Gamez
Catherine Gay
Cynthia Giumarra

Keri M. Gless
Marily Grant
Carol Grumbles
Toni Harper
Catherine Haupt
Jane Haupt
Mikie Hay*
Lauren Helper
Kathy Hill
Beth Hoffmann
Patricia Houchin
Lisa Jacoby
Terri Jamieson
Nancy H. K. Johnson
Cindy Jones
Rishma Khurana
Germaine Kimm
Lisa King
Pam Klassen
Karen Krausse-Roesle
Diane Lake*
Valerie Lallo
Dee Ann Lantz*
Marianne Laxague
Patricia MacGuire
Lesa Mackessy
Robin Mangarin Scott
Mary Mazzei*
Ronda Mazzei
Louise McCarthy
Theresa McNally
Cynthia M. Meek
Mary Ann Mulkay
Marjorie Nixon
Cheryl Palla
Carolyn Camp Pandol
Beth Pandol
Mona Pankey*
Barbara Patrick
Jacqueline Powell, MD
Lila Ray
Mary C. Richardson
Monique Roberts
Sherie Roberts
Linda Rojas
Chris Romanini
Victoria Ross-Sanford
Alexis Roy
Barbara Sandrini*
Jolene Schoneveld
Joellyn Schroeder

 

Donna Sharp
Sandi Shepherd
Juliet Smith
Marcie Soper
Karen Stanley
Diane C. Sullivan
Mora Tang
Donna Toretta
Jane Uhalt*
Marilynn Unruh
Joan Wallace†
Lynn Ward
Kathy Wells
Katie Werdel
Sue Williams
Agnes Wu, MD
Dominique Zaninovich
Tammie Zaninovich*
Theo Zaninovich

Honorary Members
Sister Cris Caballero
Sister Sherry Dolan
Sister Judy Morasci*
Sister Mary Hope Sanchez
Stephanie Weber*

Memorial Members†
Marcelle Ansolabehere*
Patty Bass
Frankie Berchtold
Doreen Boylan-Abrams*
Bebe Burke
Beverly Camp
Jacqueline Coppola
Adel M. Durando*
Patricia Eagleson*
Sister Josie Gonzales*
Yolanda Griffiths*
Ann Hine
Ruth Ann Montgomery*
Margaret Philippe
Patty Plank*
Joan Pracy
Arlene J. Roland
Judith Schwebel*
Florence Schroeder*
Mary Lou Thomson
Jane Toller*
Caroline West