Fairchild Medical Center Auxiliary Honors Ann Kaster for 50 years of Volunteer Service 

The Fairchild Medical Center Auxiliary recently recognized Ann Kaster’s 50 years of volunteer work with a lunch celebration. Ann’s volunteer friends offered stories and thanks to honor her. She is the first FMC volunteer to reach the 50-year mark. 

The Kaster family moved to Yreka in 1972. Ann loved caring for her son and toddler daughter but wanted some activity outside of the home. As a result of her friendship with Welcome Wagon members, Ann volunteered in 1975 for a position with the Auxiliary at Siskiyou General Hospital on Main Street. 

Ann describes the gift shop at the old hospital as “a little cubby in a hallway” where the Auxiliary offered a variety of candy. She was delighted when the gift shop was moved into a converted nurses’ station. At last, she was able to move around inside the shop. Ann remembers attending a convention for hospital shops and feeling anguish over ordering $100 worth of merchandise. She also recalls the opposition of the volunteers to the introduction of a cash register, with threats to quit if volunteers had to use anything but a cash box. 

The new Fairchild Medical Center was built in 1997. Ann was a co-chair of the committee involved in the fundraising for the new facility. She also served on the FMC Board of Directors. 

During her time in the Auxiliary, Ann has served as President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Gift Shop Chairperson. Ann represented hospital volunteers as President of Volunteer Services in the Mt Shasta Area Counsel and the California Hospital Association. She consulted with small hospital gift shops throughout the State to advise them on successful procedures in gift shop management. Presently, Ann works as an adjunct to the Auxiliary Treasurer and keeps our finances in order. 

In addition to her support of FMC, Ann has concurrently worked with the FMC Foundation, Red Scarf Society, COS Foundation, United Scholarships, Yreka Historical Society and the Yreka YMCA. 

Ann has clearly put her heart into many worthy causes. In every organization, Ann has excelled by serving as Officer, Chairperson, or on Boards of Directors. The Auxiliary is honored to have been the recipient of her extensive time and energy. Many thanks to Ann for her dedication to the Yreka community and especially the Fairchild Medical Center Auxiliary. 

Heart Health Month

National Heart Month is celebrated in February. It’s a time to raise awareness about heart health and the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices.   

Fairchild Medical Center is here for you. Let us discuss some of the risk factors for heart disease: 

• High Blood Pressure 

• High Cholesterol 

• Smoking, Diabetes 

• Physical Inactivity 

• Unhealthy Diet, and family history. 

How you improve your Heart Health: 

• Eat a healthy diet low in sodium and saturated fat. 

• Limit foods high in sugar and other sweeteners. 

• Eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, vegetable oils, and low-fat dairy products. 

• Stay active. 

FMC is dedicated to serving our community. We care about of patients and are ready to help make your life a healthier one.