A generous gift by the Volunteer Auxiliary of Muleshoe Area Medical Center (MAMC) resulted in the recent purchase of a new steam table for the hospital’s dietary department.

MAMC cooks meals for the acute care and swing bed patients who stay in the hospital for one or more nights.  The hospital’s dietary team also prepares over 400 meals a week that are delivered by volunteers to homebound seniors in the community as part of the “Muleshoe Meals on Wheels” program.

“This gift could not have come at a better time,” said Roy Anzaldua, dietary manager.  “Our old steam table simply ran out of gas.  

“The new steam table will allow us to keep our prepared food at the proper temperature, so that everything we make tastes good, and is safe,” Anzaldua explained.  

“Julie Gage, long time Muleshoe resident and one of the leaders of the volunteer auxiliary, contacted me a few weeks ago to find out what the hospital needed,” said Dennis Fleenor, administrator.   “The steam table purchase made possible by this gift will benefit a lot of people in the hospital and in the community, and we could not be more grateful.”

Volunteer funds were also used to purchase three new recliners with a powered lifting mechanism that allows patients with limited mobility to more easily stand.  

“This type of chair is a real benefit to our swing bed patients who may spend several days in the hospital recovering from an acute illness, injury or surgery,” said Tina Greenway, RN, chief nursing officer.  “The chairs also help our staff and family caregivers assist patients who find it difficult to lift themselves out of chair due to their illness, injury or condition.”