Springfield Standard

Citizens Memorial Hospital has honored Barbara Owens with the 2025 Lillian Hutcheson Award in recognition of her volunteer work. The announcement was made during the CMH Auxiliary’s quarterly meeting on April 18.

Each year, the Lillian Hutcheson Award is presented by the CMH Auxiliary to a volunteer who shows outstanding commitment, dedication, and compassion towards patients and the organization. Lillian Hutcheson, for whom the award is named, founded the Auxiliary program before the hospital opened its doors in 1982.

Barbara Owens has logged 2,224 volunteer hours over the past seven years, primarily serving at CMH's Gift Garden every Friday afternoon. “Barbara is such a joy to be around and is a faithful volunteer for the CMH Auxiliary,” stated Auxiliary Director Shantelle Posten. “It is so hard to choose just one volunteer to honor each year because we have so many volunteers who make a huge difference for patients at CMH.”

The CMH Auxiliary consists of 300 volunteers who collectively donate more than 22,000 hours annually. Their roles include staffing information desks and hosting fundraising events. In the fiscal year 2024 alone, the auxiliary contributed over $150,000 to the hospital for acquisitions intended to enhance patient care.

“Volunteering with the CMH Auxiliary is so rewarding,” added Posten. “Our volunteers quickly become friends and truly enjoy their service to CMH.” For those interested in volunteering, more information is available on the CMH website, or Posten can be contacted at 417-328-6432.