The Rotary of Macomb meets Tuesdays at noon at the First Presbyterian Church.
June 17, 2025 Our 51st meeting of the Rotary year commenced with President Lynne Campbell ceremoniously ringing the Rotary bell. Charles Walden delivered the invocation, and Kim McKee led the “Pledge of Allegiance.”
Rotarian Steve Knowles reported attendance, noting that 27 members were present in person, representing 51% of the club’s total membership. We had 3 guests, making 30 in attendance. Our guests were Emily Alden our speaker, Sheri Hitchcock from MDH, and Abbey Thorman (a Prospective member).
Happy Money was collected from 13 Rotarians who were celebrating a happy occasion or event this week. Charles Walden participated in the 50/50 drawing but did not win as he drew the 4 of Clubs instead of the 4 of Hearts.
President Lynne provided an update on upcoming meetings and events:
• June 24, 2025: Meeting - Will be the Installation of New Officers for 20252026 and a discussion and program on what our Raffle fundraiser will be for this year. The Rotary Board wants to have member input on the project.
• June 27, 2025: Rotary is helping out the Prairieland Barbershop Chorus with their Lemonade Shakeup stand.
• June 29, 2025: Meeting - Fifth Tuesday Social with Scholarship winners being honored at the Macomb Country Club.
• August 9, 2025: Rotary Day at the Ballpark in St. Louis, MO – Cardinals & Cubs – Tickets forms were on the tables.
Since summer was only 5 days away the club sang “In The Good Old Summertime” led by Tom Stites and Mike Williams.
Pat Osterman introduced our program speaker, Emily Alden, who serves as the Patient Advocate at McDonough District Hospital (MDH). Emily has been part of MDH for two years, working closely with patients, families, and staff members.
She graduated from Western Illinois University (WIU) with a major in communications and resides on a farm with her husband, Josh, and their animals.
As a Patient Advocate, Emily’s mission is to gather feedback, act as the voice of the patients, and ensure that MDH provides high-quality and compassionate care. The dignity afforded to patients by the staff is of utmost importance. She emphasized the significance of patient surveys to the hospital, urging everyone to return them so that the hospital can continuously improve its services.
Emily provided insight into her typical day as a healthcare worker. She highlighted that no two days are ever the same. Her day typically involves listening to patients’ or families’ concerns and addressing them by implementing changes or providing clarifications. She noted the challenges of living in a smaller community, such as the limited availability of specialist doctors. Emily stressed the importance of patients asking questions until they fully understand the care they are receiving. She finished with telling the club that she enjoyed collaborating with different departments and witnessing the hard work involved in providing quality healthcare for the hospital and its patients.
The “Four Way Test”, followed by ringing the Rotary bell and encouraging everyone to make Rotary Part Of Their Life – and to embrace “The Magic of Rotary.”
Interested in speaking at Rotary or becoming a member, contact Tom Stites at [email protected].
