Janis Gallo Takes the Helm at the Irene Dunne Guild

Janis Gallo has been elected president of the Irene Dunne Guild 11 years after joining the organization. The IDG is a volunteer group of community members that supports the health center under the umbrella of the Saint John’s Health Center Foundation. Gallo was an invited guest at the IDG annual signature event, the Think Pink luncheon and boutique, in 2009 and was immediately impressed with the group and its mission. “When I first went to a Think Pink luncheon, I realized this is a group I felt an affinity to,” she says. “I felt they were devoted, intelligent and interested in doing something and in giving.”

Gallo, who gave birth to her three children at Saint John’s, has worked tirelessly for the guild since then. As president, she wants to raise awareness about the group’s role. The 102-member guild raises money to support special programs or equipment for the hospital. Recently, the IDG donated funds to purchase portable fetal monitors for the labor and delivery unit and for a special bed for stroke patients. The guild also sponsors the Beauty Bus, which creates pop-up salons where Saint John’s patients and caregivers receive a variety of complimentary beauty and grooming services. The IDG also recently raised and donated funds to support a broad array of needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Donations from members have increased this year due to the pandemic, Gallo says. That is in keeping with the spirit of the IDG members. “We step up to do things that weren’t in the hospital budget. This is our community hospital.” 

See original article in Fall 2020 Saint John's Magazine