2 minute read
Doing more good Celerina Hayes
“ I ’m impressed with the commitment to quality health care at Huntington Hospital,” says Celerina (Terri) Hayes, “and I’ve always been interested in volunteer work. These factors, combined with Terri’s longtime interest in the field of medicine, led her to become a volunteer here in 2011. As with all our volunteers, she began her service in errand and escort. Since then, she has expanded her involvement, volunteering three days a week. In addition to a continued role in errand and escort services, she assists in the surgical waiting room and volunteers at the information desk in our main lobby. Even after extending her volunteer service, Terri felt compelled to do more. “I wanted to give more than my time,” she says, “and I was inspired by how committed all the staff here are to the hospital’s mission. I wanted to support them so they can continue the good work they’re doing.” She decided to become a donor — making her gifts without restriction so they may be applied to areas of greatest need each year. She is recognized for her generous support as a member of our President’s Circle. Terri’s most recent gift was made via a charitable distribution through her individual retirement account (IRA). This way, she says, “I can maximize my contributions and avoid a tax obligation on those funds.” (For more information on charitable distributions from a qualified retirement plan, see the sidebar on page 38.) As someone who spent her career in finance, she appreciated the financial prudence of this vehicle for her philanthropy.
Coming home.
Born in the Philippines, Terri moved to the United States at age 17. She went on to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from California State University, Los Angeles. She then obtained her California CPA license and a master’s degree in taxation from Golden Gate University. She worked as tax director in the finance departments of several Fortune 500 companies over the course of her career, living in Los Angeles, in the Bay Area and in Hawaii.
After she retired, Terri began volunteering at her local hospital in Hawaii, but she was eager to be closer to relatives. (Her son’s family — including Terri’s three grandchildren, two of whom were born at Huntington Hospital — lives in the San Fernando Valley.) She moved back to California and has lived in Old Town Pasadena since 2011, retaining her condominium in Hawaii for part-time use.
Giving back.
In addition to her volunteer work at the hospital, Terri is a board member of her homeowners association in Hawaii and serves as treasurer of the association at her condo in Pasadena. She is also involved in several local charities.
“I know it’s an overused phrase, but I believe it’s important to give back to the community,” she says, adding that she especially cherishes her time at the hospital. In the surgical waiting room, for example, family or friends of patients undergoing surgery can of course be quite anxious. Terri feels it is important that someone is readily available to answer questions, and help share information from staff members about how their loved one is doing during the surgical process. “I’m extremely gratified that I can offer such comfort to people who check in at the surgery waiting room during my hospital shift,” she says.
