A World of Memories.....Dr. Joe Longino, right, who spent a lifetime at
Hopkins County Memorial Hospital, discusses some of his recollections
with Becky Hodges Roper, daughter of longtime Hopkins County Physician,
Dr. Lester Hodges, at Thursday's 60th Anniversary Celebration.
Memories Abound and A Look
To The Future at Thursday's
Hopkins County Memorial Hospital
60th Anniversary Celebration
by: Bobby McDonald
Local banker, Craig Roberts, a member of the Hospital Foundation Board, served
as Master of Ceremonies for Thursday's 60th Anniversary event.
Wonderful autumn weather prevailed as approximately 600 people gathered on the new portico of the Hopkins County Memorial Hospital, at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, to celebrate 60 years of memories and to look toward the future of healthcare in Hopkins County. "It was far-sighted individuals who made this miracle happen back in the 1940's and it is forward-thinking individuals who have had a vision for the expansion project to be completed in 2010," expressed local attorney and former Hospital Board Member, W.T. Allison, who chaired the 60th Anniversary Celebration Committee. "We're here to celebrate the progress of those individuals who gave of their time and money, back in 1949, but we're also here to look toward the future and marvel at the many miracles of birth, treatment, and sustaining healthcare that will be accomplished at this facility!"
Local attorney and former Hospital Board Member, W.T. Allison, served as chair of the 60th
Anniversary Committee.
State Representative Mark Homer, who made his second appearance in Hopkins County for the day, took the podium and declared that "communities who work toward outstanding healthcare for their citizens, continue to be viable entities in society!"
State Representative Mark Homer offered his congratulatory remarks on Hopkins County Memorial
reaching its 60th year milestone, and expanded care for the community.
"I commend those responsible in Hopkins County for taking the steps to guarantee quality care for their citizens," stated Homer. "Especially in a time when healthcare is such a 'hot topic' in our society. It shows faith in your community and a group of leaders who put the citizens of this community first!"
Craig Roberts, local banker, served as the Master of Ceremonies, and continued to watch the skies, as a band of thunderstorms moved around Hopkins County, sparing rainfall during the ceremonies. Michael Moore, Chaplain for Hopkins County Memorial, offered a moving plea for divine guidance in the operation of the newly remodeled facility and its large staff, as he gave the opening prayer.
Dr. Jeffry Huffman presented Hopkins County Memorial with a commemorative flag that flew over his
unit hospital in Iraq.
Dr. Jeffry Huffman, a physician at Hopkins County Memorial Hospital and a decorated soldier from Iraq, presented the hospital with a flag flown over his hospital unit in Iraq. The Hopkins County Military Coalition presented the colors and vocalist, Lydia Walden, led those assembled in "The Star Spangled Banner."
G.V. Hughes read a proclamation from Texas Governor Rick Perry, and Allison gave a brief list of accomplishment of the 60 years of history at Hopkins County Memorial, siting what a monumental "leap of faith" it took for hospital founders and voters to commit to a debt of $250,000.00, back in 1949, to provide quality healthcare for Hopkins County.
Hopkins County Memorial Hospital Board Chair, Ralph Preuss, recognized present and
past board members at the 60 year old facility.
Longtime Hopkins County Hospital Board Member and chairman of the board when the
expansion project was unveiled, Tim Kelty, related some of the milestones in the history
of Hopkins County Memorial Hospital.
Hospital Board Chairman, Ralph Preuss, recognized present and past board members and staff and Board Member, Tim Kelty, presented a "timeline" of the many accomplishments at the facility. Dr. Bill Dietze, recognized current and past physicians at Hopkins County Memorial Hospital, with special recognition of Dr. Joseph "Joe" Longino, whose family has spent decades of service in the medical field in Hopkins County. Dr. Joe, as he is affectionately known, was recognized as the longest tenured physician at Hopkins County Memorial, and followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, as well as practiced with his brother, Dr. Steve Longino. "Dr. Joe is the epitome of healthcare in Hopkins County," related Dietze. "I had the pleasure to work with him, his father, and his brother!"
Dr. Joseph "Joe" Longinio was recorgnized as the longest tenured physician at Hopkins
County Memorial, as he has spent a lifetime in local health care.
Michael McAndrews, CEO of Hopkins County Memorial, then recognized staff members, and "singled out" those with outstanding tenure. "She swears that she started when she was in kindergarten," stated McAndrews, when he recognized Karen Strickland, who has worked at Hopkins County Memorial since 1969, completing 40 years of service!
Current CEO of Hopkins County Memorial Hospital, Michael McAndrews,
recognized tenured employees and volunteers.
Mrs. Peggy Watts, left, was sited as the longest current volunteer; Mrs. Karen Strickland was recognized as the longest
tenured employee; and Mrs. Hazel McIntire, was announced as the longest tenured volunteer, retired.
Mrs. Hazel McIntire, who began as a volunteer in 1973, and Mrs. Peggy Watts, who continues to serve since 1975, were recognized as the tenured volunteers at Hopkins County Memorial Hosptial.
Local Sulphur Springs ISD student, Abilene Garcia, right, was recognized by
Karen Strickland as the winner in the poster contest, sponsored by Hopkins
County Memorial Hospital's 60th Anniversary Committee.
Everyone was dismissed to the newly constructed lobby area of Hopkins County Memorial for beautifully appointed refreshments, scrapbooks of historic milestones in the tenure of the local hospital, and a powerpoint presentation of collected memorabillia.
A large crowd of Hopkins County residents gathered to celebrate 60 years of healthcare.
This 60th Anniversary Cake was just part of the many refreshments offered at the reception.
Left to right, Barbara McCarley, whose mother was a longtime healthcare provider, Mrs. Gretta
Fullbright, longtime local nurse, and Becky Hodges Roper, discuss many of their memories
of going to Hopkins County Memorial, on an almost daily basis.
"As I look at the many, many events surrounding the Hopkins County Memorial Hospital, over the past 60 years, I'm taken aback by how most of us take it for granted," expressed one of Thursday's attendees. "The staff, doctors, volunteers, and board are working everyday, to insure that me and my family have quality care. I'll look at this facility with a new and enlightened respect, after today's presentation!"
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