Blount Memorial Hospital in Maryville, Tennessee first opened its doors 60 years ago with 50 beds and 12 doctors. Now, with hundreds of beds and doctors and numerous outreach facilities, the hospital sets a new standard for community healthcare.
The citizens of Maryville are blessed to have at their disposal such quality care close to home. People of many other communities its size must often travel to bigger towns for full care, but this is not so in Blount County, Tennessee.
I am extremely honored to represent the fine men and women who work hard every day to make Blount Memorial hospital a source of community pride.
The hospital's transformation into a premiere medical facility could not have occurred without the outstanding leadership of its long-time administrator. Joe Dawson has witnessed many milestones in his 22 years at Blount Memorial, and I am sure he will spearhead many more. I thank him for his leadership.
Madam Speaker, in closing, I would like to call to the attention of my colleagues and other readers of the Record the article from the Daily Times newspaper, which is reprinted below.
With 50 beds and 12 physicians, Blount Memorial Hospital opened its doors to the community 60 years ago. Now, the hospital houses over 304 licensed beds, not including the 76 beds in their transitional care center or the 92 beds in MorningView Village, a senior community. The hospital currently employs more than 280 physicians on active and courtesy staffs.
On Tuesday, 24 American flags were unveiled down East Lamar Alexander Parkway in front of the hospital in celebration of the hospital's 60th anniversary and in honor of those who have died in the line of duty, those missing in action and those who served and continue to serve our Nation.
Past and present employees, board members, physicians, volunteers, hospital partners from the past and friends of the Blount Memorial Hospital family joined to celebrate and recall the history of the hospital.
Two proclamations were presented to the hospital--one from Blount County and the cities of Maryville and Alcoa and a second from the Tennessee House of Representatives.
Joe Dawson, who became the hospital's sixth administrator in 1985, opened the ceremony by welcoming guests in the birthday celebration of the hospital. ``This is the actual first day (July 24) Blount Memorial took their first patient,'' Dawson said.
Dawson said the 24 honor flags would be displayed on patriotic holidays and the hospital's anniversary each year.
Robert Redwine, president of the hospital's board of directors, said this year's anniversary theme was, ``Honoring the past. Ensuring the future.'' Redwine pointed out the rich history and milestones of the hospital. He said the need for the hospital arose in the early 1940s when ALCOA Inc.'s North Plant was built.
The hospital's ``founding fathers,'' Judge George Roberts, Joe Gamble and A.D. Huddleston. were appointed to investigate the feasibility of building a publicly owned hospital in the county.
In 1945, the Federal Works Agency agreed to finance about 50 percent ($200,000) of the $400,000 needed to build it. The community raised $200,000 that included a $100,000 donation from ALCOA. The aluminum company's contribution included a day's pay given by every worker, Redwine said.
A 14-acre site was purchased, and Maryville College donated 0.675 acres of land in front of Walland Highway, where construction began.
On Blount Memorial's first day of operation, 40 patients were brought to the hospital by ambulance and six were admitted. The staff performed two operations, dealt with two emergencies and delivered a baby boy, Richard Brown.
Since that day, the hospital has grown significantly in its size and services offered. In the past 10 years, The Good Samaritan Clinic, Blount Memorial Health Center at Tellico West in Vonore, Home Equipment Services office, MorningView Village, Transitional Care Center, Breast Health Center, Atrium Cafe and an outpatient diagnostic center at Springbrook have been opened--not to mention many additions and renovations.
Redwine thanked many partners and friends of the hospital for their continued support. ``And of course we want to thank the community for your continued support,'' Redwine said.
``We are here to serve you.'' ``Please remember this is your hospital. We want you to be proud of it, and we want you to use it.''
Proclamations read:
Blount County Mayor Jerry Cunningham, Alcoa Mayor Don Mull and Maryville Vice Mayor Tom Taylor presented a joint proclamation to the hospital on behalf of the county and cities. The proclamation ``declares July 24, 2007, as Blount Memorial Hospital's 60th Anniversary Day,'' and encourages the community to join the celebration.
State Rep. Doug Overbey and Rep. Joe McCord presented a proclamation to the hospital stating that the ``General Assembly is privileged to recognize Blount Memorial Hospital for its countless contributions to the well-being of the citizens of Tennessee.''
Senator and retired physician Raymond Finney spoke at the celebration about how he was glad to be ``back home'' as he was on staff at Blount Memorial Hospital for 33 years. He talked about the hospital's accomplishments and credited many of those to great leadership who have been there for years.
``One of the things that makes this hospital so good is capable people that stay put,'' Finney said. ``I really appreciate what's been accomplished here. I know what is going on across the state in health care, and we have an exemplary hospital here.''
Dawson said he expects the hospital to continue growing and believes the hospital will reach many more goals by its 70th anniversary. ``We're very much a reflection of Blount County and the changes of Blount County,'' Dawson said.
In the next 5 to 10 years, Dawson said
he expects the hospital will have new technology and said
the hospital will be ``reaching out into the community''
more by building more primary care and outpatient
facilities.
