The Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama is pleased to announce the winner of the 2011 Juliette P. Doster Award for Outstanding Volunteerism in Healthcare – Myrna Degner of Oxford was named as the 2011 recipient at a reception held recently in her honor. The award recognizes personal commitment, overall impact and extraordinary service in promoting or advancing healthcare in Calhoun County.

Degner has dedicated a large portion of her life to serving others. Since 1999, she has been a devoted member of the RMC Auxiliary of Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center earning more than 9,000 hours, which averages about 13 hours per week. Degner's primary role with the auxiliary is as co-manager of the Gift Shop. The RMC Auxiliary is a volunteer organization with more than 130 members whose mission is to render service to the hospital, and the betterment of the community.

Susan Gibbins, chair of the Doster Award Committee, said, "Myrna Degner is most deserving of this award. She has devoted her time and talents to serving the patients, employees and community, which depend on the services provided by the RMC Gift Shop. As a member of the Auxiliary Board of Directors, she has also been instrumental in organizing fundraisers, which support the nursing scholarship program."

Recipients of the Doster Award are individuals who give of their time and talent at no cost in an institution or organization providing: (i) direct health or medical services such as a hospital, medical clinic, rehabilitation, assisted living, or nursing facility; (ii) medical education advancing the public’s awareness of health issues, health choices or a healthy lifestyle; and (iii) medical education or training to expand the public’s ability to respond to emergencies through specialized training or certifications. Recipients must be residents of Calhoun County or contribute their volunteer services in Calhoun County.

The Juliette P. Doster Award is an engraved crystal clock symbolizing the many hours of volunteer service along with a $1,000 grant from the Susie Parker Stringfellow Health Fund to a nonprofit health or medical-care organization designated by the recipient.

Degner selected two local organizations that provide services for abandoned, abused or neglected animals – The League for Animal Welfare and the Humane Society of Calhoun County. Each organization will receive a grant for $500.

Past recipients of this award are: George Areno, Calhoun County Head Injury Foundation; Bibby Cunningham, Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary; Lolan Granger, ARC of Calhoun County; Eleanor Youngblood and Tony Areno, St. Michael's Clinic; Jean Flanders, Medical Center Memorial Foundation; Karen Morris, Health Services Center; and, Dr. Brenda Roberts, American Cancer Society, Helen Henley, RMC Chaplain Services and Margaret Taylor, Steel Magnolias Breast Cancer Support Group.