The Auxiliary of Lawrence + Memorial Hospital has faced many pandemic-related challenges over the past couple of years, yet the resolve of its membership to promote and support the hospital remains as strong today as at any point in the organization’s proud history, according to its new president.

Kathy Greene, who recently succeeded Jennifer Latz, likes to remind people that the 200-member organization founded more than 100 years ago has always had to face difficulties.

“From the very year this group was founded, Nadine Lawrence Pond (the first president) and a small group of women said to themselves, ‘We’re going to make sure this hospital survives,’ and they have,” Greene said. “They’ve adapted and changed for 108 years. They’ve been through an influenza pandemic, smallpox, the Great Depression, two world wars, AIDS, Sept. 11, SARS, and now COVID-19. They’ve had to change and adapt every single time – and we’re going to adapt and change again.”

Greene praised Latz for her leadership during the pandemic, including raising money to help support the costs of Personal Protective Equipment for hospital staff.

“Jenn’s spirit continues,” Greene said. “Our members are fierce. This is a group of leaders – strong members who can reinvent this Auxiliary.”

Born at L+M Hospital and with family members who worked as nurses, Greene is rooted in the community. She now lives in Stonington.

Years ago, while volunteering to help children with disabilities, Greene saw such promise in providing children with educational and recreational opportunities that she started her own non-profit. With a $100,000 grant she secured from a Fortune 500 company, Greene created what is known today as the Light House, a vocational-educational center supporting individuals with intellectual, physical and developmental difficulties throughout southeastern Connecticut.

“I’m very proud of that,” Greene said. “It wasn’t easy, but we just kept going, taking thousands of baby steps and moving it forward.”

Greene now brings that determination to the Auxiliary.

“I love a challenge,” she said. “I always think that you’re put into a position at the time when you’re needed.... All non-profit 501(c) 3 organizations have been going through difficult times, but we want to continue to bring out our best, with new ideas, as we pivot and figure out what will work and how we can still best support the hospital.”

Toward that end, Greene said she and her leadership team are developing an action plan focused on three objectives: membership, public relations and fundraising.

“We’ll be reaching out to all our members to find out more about them and to see how they would like to get more involved,” she said. “And we’ll be doing more to educate the community on the fact that we’re here and looking for support.”

Greene also has a vision to bring younger people from diverse backgrounds into the organization, “So they can see it – and then be it,” she said.

“Any and all things are possible. Again, it’s going to take thousands of baby steps, but we can do it. It’s exciting!”

Bill Hanrahan, a former reporter for The Day, works in public relations at L+M.