Hospital celebration successful, despite low attendance
The 50th anniversary celebration was well attended by former residents back for Old Settlers' Day, but few local residents came, members of Marion County Hospital District No. 1 board heard Thursday at their regular monthly meeting.
Organizers said about 300 people attended.
While the turnout was low, those attending were impressed with the facility, particularly if they hadn't seen the additions made in recent years.
A highlight was a visit from some of the order of Catholic sisters who worked in the hospital after it was built, said Peggy Blackman, event chairman.
"They were amazed to see what had been done at this facility," she said.
The sisters offered to check the archives for memorabilia associated with St. Luke. Since other items have been gathered within the community, plans are to install a historical display in the hospital lobby.
Also planned for the lobby is a portrait gallery of physicians who have served in Marion for 20 years or more. It will include pencil sketches of T.C. Ensey, R.R. Melton, C.R. Magee, G.J. Goodsheller, and Don Hodson.
Eagle Med brought a helicopter ambulance to the festivities, circling town numerous times during the parade and landing at the high school. Crew members ate lunch in the park and answered questions for several hours before they received a call to leave.
In a related matter, the landscaping committee is almost finished with fall projects but will do more planting in the spring.
A newly-constructed berm with decorative plantings in front of the hospital will be made into a seating area for visitors.
Insurance questions
Officials have heard that some people are seeking medical care elsewhere because their insurance "won't pay" for care at St. Luke, or won't pay as much as at another facility.
Doug Newman, hospital administrator, said the hospital has contracts with many insurance providers and is willing to add more. Location of facility usually doesn't make any difference.
Anyone with questions about whether their insurance provider has a contract with the facility can call St. Luke.
New styles proposed
St. Luke Living Center will explore changes seen as long-term changes in how nursing home services are provided.
As the Baby Boom generation begins to use nursing homes, they have different levels of expectations, Newman said.
For example, instead of standard meals at set times, they prefer buffets available over two hours. Another trend is to do away with central nursing stations and maintain charts in portable cabinets.
The Living Center may begin with occasional buffet meals, just to see if residents like the option, Newman said. Employees also could buy a meal and eat with residents.
In other reports:
Board members approved an early payment of $100,000 on a lease-purchase agreement. The board wants to have the lease agreement paid off in 2004 since the management agreement with Banner Health System ends that year.
A quilt on display in the hospital lobby will be given away at the hospital auxiliary annual meeting in January. Tickets for the drawing are available at the hospital.
The birthing room has been redecorated. The operating room also was retiled and repainted while surgeon Stephen Cranston was gone for a few days.
