Mended Hearts, Inc., Chapter 127
Cookeville, Tennessee 38501
Cookeville, Tennessee 38501
Brief History Of Chapter 127
Chapter Formed In 1997
Mended Hearts, Inc., Chapter 127 was chartered in March of 1997 in Cookeville, Tennessee (Putnam County). However, the idea of a local chapter began with the vision of Dr. Martin Coffey, then the Director of the Cardiac Catherization Lab at the Cookeville Regional Medical Center (CRMC). Dr. Coffey, after learning at a meeting in Nashville of the purpose, activities, and benefits to cardiac patients of an active chapter consisting of past cardiac patient volunteers, came back to Cookeville inspired to begin a chapter at the local hospital.
Dr. Coffey talked with John Doherty and Tom Little, both recent patients and survivors of heart surgery at CRMC. Through their efforts and the support of CRMC, a local chapter was formed with 26 members. The national dues of these 26 charter members was paid for by CRMC.
Charter members of Chapter 127 consisted of: Richard Armstrong, Peggy Baker, Rebecca Bean, Harold Bohannon, Hazel Bourne, Mary Brown, Ruth Crumley, Dexter Dennis, John Doherty, Warren Essler, Hollie Flatt, John Frey, Robert Hagans, Artie Hodges, Sarah Joyce, Amelia Kendrick, Clarence Landis, Tom Little, James Middlebrook, Elmer Montgomery, Thomas Page, Dixie Phifer, Joseph Pleasanton, Ken Purdy, Sherry Shockley, and Mike Walsh.
From its very conception through the present, Chapter 127 has enjoyed full and extraordinary partnership and participation with the hospital, doctors, medical staff, and support personnel.
Mended Hearts, Inc., Chapter 127 was chartered in March of 1997 in Cookeville, Tennessee (Putnam County). However, the idea of a local chapter began with the vision of Dr. Martin Coffey, then the Director of the Cardiac Catherization Lab at the Cookeville Regional Medical Center (CRMC). Dr. Coffey, after learning at a meeting in Nashville of the purpose, activities, and benefits to cardiac patients of an active chapter consisting of past cardiac patient volunteers, came back to Cookeville inspired to begin a chapter at the local hospital.
Dr. Coffey talked with John Doherty and Tom Little, both recent patients and survivors of heart surgery at CRMC. Through their efforts and the support of CRMC, a local chapter was formed with 26 members. The national dues of these 26 charter members was paid for by CRMC.
Charter members of Chapter 127 consisted of: Richard Armstrong, Peggy Baker, Rebecca Bean, Harold Bohannon, Hazel Bourne, Mary Brown, Ruth Crumley, Dexter Dennis, John Doherty, Warren Essler, Hollie Flatt, John Frey, Robert Hagans, Artie Hodges, Sarah Joyce, Amelia Kendrick, Clarence Landis, Tom Little, James Middlebrook, Elmer Montgomery, Thomas Page, Dixie Phifer, Joseph Pleasanton, Ken Purdy, Sherry Shockley, and Mike Walsh.
From its very conception through the present, Chapter 127 has enjoyed full and extraordinary partnership and participation with the hospital, doctors, medical staff, and support personnel.
John Doherty, first president of Chapter 127 served 4 years from March 1997 to April 2001. Serving along with him were: Tom Little (Vice-President), Dixie Phifer (Secretary), Sherry Shockley (Treasurer). John began the process by organizing the monthly meetings which were held at an educational room at the hospital. He was also instrumental in getting a visiting program started whereby volunteer, accredited visitors would visit with heart patients' families before and during surgery and with patients following surgery.
Volunteer members began staffing the Cardiovascular Intensive Care (CVICU) Waiting Area, providing information and support to waiting family and friends. Members quickly realized they were also finding support for themselves as former patients while reaching out to others who were now undergoing similar experiences.
President Doherty's leadership to the group and his always cordial manner gave new members a strong sense of dedication to the values and goals of Mended Hearts, Inc. and the new local chapter.
Volunteer members began staffing the Cardiovascular Intensive Care (CVICU) Waiting Area, providing information and support to waiting family and friends. Members quickly realized they were also finding support for themselves as former patients while reaching out to others who were now undergoing similar experiences.
President Doherty's leadership to the group and his always cordial manner gave new members a strong sense of dedication to the values and goals of Mended Hearts, Inc. and the new local chapter.
John Doherty, First President of Chapter 127
Richard Armstrong, Second President of Chapter 127
Richard Armstrong followed John Doherty and became the second president of Chapter 127, serving two years (one term) from March 2001 to April 2003. Serving along with him were: Tom Little (Vice-President), Ellis McCowan (Secretary), and Linda Goode (Treasurer)..
A brief one-page monthly newsletter was implemented as a meeting reminder and update of ongoing and planned chapter activities. Speakers, drawn from professional cardiac staff on subjects related to heart health and education, were arranged for monthly meetings. Letters were sent to recent CRMC cardiac patients, inviting them to the monthly Chapter 127 meetings.
President Armstrong began to increase the Chapter's Treasury through the selling of T-shirts and by having auctions. The Chapter's values and goals were kept alive by his continued leadership.
A brief one-page monthly newsletter was implemented as a meeting reminder and update of ongoing and planned chapter activities. Speakers, drawn from professional cardiac staff on subjects related to heart health and education, were arranged for monthly meetings. Letters were sent to recent CRMC cardiac patients, inviting them to the monthly Chapter 127 meetings.
President Armstrong began to increase the Chapter's Treasury through the selling of T-shirts and by having auctions. The Chapter's values and goals were kept alive by his continued leadership.
Tom Little, Third President of Chapter 127
Tom Little became Chapter 127's third president in March 2003 and served four terms. Serving along with him were: Bob Hibbs, Julia Boyd, and Dr. Ken Garry (Vice-Presidents), Ellis McCowan, Horace Raper, and Sheila Rich (Secretaries), and Amelia Kendrick, Sherry Shockley, and Blanche Smithers (Treasurers).
Tom began to immediately improve and expand upon the Chapter's newsletter. It became the monthly "Heart News." The increased mailing and distribution of the Heart News helped the Chapter membership to grow and increased public awareness of the purpose of the local chapter.
Efforts at fund-raising were increased. Applying for grants and establishing partnerships with local businesses and corporations was expanded. Bi-annual "bake sales" were initiated as well as an annual "silent auction." All of these were highly successful and strongly supported by CRMC staff.
Tom began to immediately improve and expand upon the Chapter's newsletter. It became the monthly "Heart News." The increased mailing and distribution of the Heart News helped the Chapter membership to grow and increased public awareness of the purpose of the local chapter.
Efforts at fund-raising were increased. Applying for grants and establishing partnerships with local businesses and corporations was expanded. Bi-annual "bake sales" were initiated as well as an annual "silent auction." All of these were highly successful and strongly supported by CRMC staff.
All these efforts have enabled Chapter 127 to purchase more than 70 automatic external defibrillators (AED's) which have been donated to churches, schools, industrial plants, and rural clinics. In many cases, "dummy mannequins" for CPR training have also been donated with training both in AED use and CPR provided by local EMS services.
Membership has also been increased by having membership drives at CRMC's Cardiac Rehab Center. Those undergoing rehab have the opportunity to learn about Mended Hearts, the benefits to them, and the opportunities for volunteer service to help others.
Participation in health fairs and local events have increased public recognition of Chapter 127.
Membership has also been increased by having membership drives at CRMC's Cardiac Rehab Center. Those undergoing rehab have the opportunity to learn about Mended Hearts, the benefits to them, and the opportunities for volunteer service to help others.
Participation in health fairs and local events have increased public recognition of Chapter 127.
2007-2012 Mended Hearts, Inc., Chapter 127 All Rights Reserved
Pharoah Smithers, Fourth President of Chapter 127
Pharoah Smithers became Chapter 127's fourth president in April 2011 and is currently serving his first term. Serving along with him are: Dennis Guzlas (Vice-President), Laura Jackson (Secretary), and Dot Tomberlin (Treasurer).
Chapter 127 membership has steadily increased with over 240 present members. Chapter 127 continues to receive local, regional, and national awards and recognition for outstanding service and support to cardiac patients and their families, the Cookeville Regional Medical Center cardiac program, the local community, and to the national purpose and objectives of Mended Hearts, Inc.
Chapter 127 membership has steadily increased with over 240 present members. Chapter 127 continues to receive local, regional, and national awards and recognition for outstanding service and support to cardiac patients and their families, the Cookeville Regional Medical Center cardiac program, the local community, and to the national purpose and objectives of Mended Hearts, Inc.