Committees
Committees enable us to support the mission of our organization which is to support and promote medical education, research, clinical care, and scholarship through charitable activities and to serve the needs of the community of which we are a part.
Annual Gala
This annual fundraiser will be held at the Hotel Hershey. This committee, in collaboration with the Board of Directors of AFF, will plan and organize the event including the menu, entertainment, decorations, and will assist the sponsorship committee.
Coordinator: Debbie Wallace
Bylaws
The bylaws committee is responsible for the annual review and maintenance of our bylaws including any amendments needed and for insuring proper protocol for this process is followed.
Coordinator: Kathy Miller
Information & Technology
This committee compiles the information submitted by the Board of Directors and members to inform the membership of events, activities, and other pertinent information. The monthly newsletter, HouseCall, is emailed to all members with upcoming AFF news, May through September. The Communications committee is responsible for maintaining contents of the AFF website and social media channels year-round.
Newsletter: Heather Boyle
PR: Barb Kauffman
Electronic Communications: Heather Mahraj
Lion’s Share Drive
The Lion’s Share committee is responsible for collecting donations for the local food banks. Collections are held between October and May each year and are coordinated through Hospital and College of Medicine departments.
Coordinators: Julie Groh & Judy Dillon
Luncheon
The luncheon will be held at the Hotel Hershey. This committee, in collaboration with the Board of Directors of AFF, will plan and organize the event including the menu, entertainment, decorations, and will assist the sponsorship committee.
Coordinator: Susan Foxx and Betty Rigberg
Membership
The membership committee coordinates mailings for membership renewal, welcome letters, and new member recruitment.
Coordinator: Jaque Repke
Palliative Care
AFF had a big role in establishing Palliative Care Medicine at then Hershey Medical Center, Penn State University in 1996 & has supported this program ever since. Interested AFF members who volunteer for this Palliative Care Committee must complete a training program accredited by the National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization (NHPC ) in addition to the hospital volunteer training program. These volunteers would donate their time & energy to help Palliative Care staff, their patients and/or patients’ families.
Coordinator: Behjat Noori
Peace Tree
AFF members gather together at the Medical Center with faculty, staff, students, patients, family members, and guests from the community, for a special evening program acknowledging the sponsored names and showcasing local talent. Tax-deductible contributions to The Peace Tree are returned as gifts to the Medical Center supporting and promoting medical education, research, clinical care, and scholarship by The Association of Faculty and Friends.
Coordinator: Lisa Braccini-Barletta
Sponsorship
This committee coordinates correspondence and seeks potential sponsors for events, such as the gala and the luncheon. This includes collecting advertisement artwork for the events.
Coordinator: TBA
Hospital & Community Outreach Programs
Blood Drive
Blood Drive is held every February at the Hershey Medical Center and is done in collaboration with the American Red Cross.
Coordinator: Suzy Carnecchia
Caring Corner
The Caring Corner committee is responsible for sending timely notes and cards to AFF members offering get well wishes, sympathy, congratulations or other supportive messages on behalf of the AFF board and general membership.
Coordinator: Vera Kolstom and Shari Massini
Hospital Programs
This committee is responsible for keeping the membership informed of Hospital and College of Medicine events. The group is responsible for developing and presenting new concepts and programs to the Board of Directors in keeping with the mission of the AFF.
Coordinator: Lisa Braccini-Barletta
Splash Packs
Splash Packs are toiletry items that are collected to give to unprepared caretakers of palliative care patients.
Coordinator: Behjat Noori
Interest Groups
These groups serve the mission of providing a community of friendship to our members. Dates, times and locations of meetings and events are published monthly in the AFF newsletter, HouseCall, when made available.
Book Club
The Book Club meets monthly on the second Thursday of the month from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm at the Hershey Public Library to discuss a book. The title of the book is announced monthly in HouseCall.
Coordinator: Jill Muscat
Bridge Club
This group was formed for members who desire to play bridge in a relaxed social setting. A course in beginning bridge is suggested for those who wish to join the group. Members meet twice each month, on varying days announced in Housecall and AFF social media. The group plays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at a local restaurant with lunch following.
Coordinators: Sue Demers and Jaque Repke
Cocktails & Conversation
This group is for members who like to get together monthly to enjoy happy hour at a member’s home or area restaurant.
Coordinators: Patti Deutsch and Kathy Carter
Gourmet Group
The gourmet group consists of a limited number of couples who participate in a monthly planned dinner which is held at a different home each month.
Coordinator: Lisa Reinhart
Nittany Knitters
The Nittany Knitters group meets on the first Thursday of each month, from September through May, excluding December. The locations vary from month to month, but notice of each meeting will be posted in HouseCall. Knitters of all levels may join the group at any time. Projects have included fidget squares, lap blankets for adult and pediatric chemo patients, chemo caps for pediatric and adult patients, and scarves for breast cancer patients.
Coordinator: Betty Rigberg
Outings & Day Trips
Outing and Day Trips is an exciting free flowing group organized by Felicia Paymer where members suggest and plan pleasant destinations and excursions. Hikes, theatres, galleries, and places of interest. Members of the group decide. Please contact Felicia through the Member Directory if you are interested.
Coordinator: Felicia Paymer
