Beverly Ford and Roger Jarvis unveil new sign for "Minnie"
By Bob Weaver
"Minnie Hamilton is helping change the face of rural health care, an organization with a vision, genuine cutting-edge," said Martha Walker, Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services.
Walker made her comments yesterday during an open house in Grantsville to officially change the name of the health service to Minnie Hamilton Health System.
She joined other community members in taking a tour of the facility.
Top left, Minnie's CEO Barb Lay, top right WVDHHR
secretary Martha Walker; bottom left, board president
Larry Baker, bottom right, Lay takes DHHR secretary on tour
CEO Barb Lay said the name change was made to "recognize our ever expanding system of care."
The open house recognized community people who had helped from MHHCC's beginnings in 1985 to present.
Lay recalled some desperate times when the county lost health service with the closure of Calhoun General Hospital. She recalled a woman dying on the Foodland parking lot with a chain and lock on the emergency room door.
Minnie Hamilton Health Care ushered in a new model of integrated services for a rural community, recognized nationwide.
Board president Larry Baker said "There is value in bearing witness to what has happened at Minnie Hamilton. We are no longer the best kept secret. We owe this not just to the employees of the wonderful facility, but the citizens we serve."
"Hard work, heart and determination has been at the forefront of success," Baker said. "Minnie Hamilton has blazed a trail for others to follow ... We are the E. F. Hutton of rural health."
Lay spoke radiantly about major upgrades to the facility, and reviewed the large menu of services.
"I have always said that what we have achieved, we have achieved because people have worked together," she said.
The system's two employees with the longest service, pulled the cover from the new sign, denoting Minnie Hamilton Health System.
Roger Jarvis has been with Minnie and the former Calhoun General Hospital for 34 years and Beverly Ford has been with Minnie for 18 years.
Lay concluded the ceremony recognizing long-time health nurse Minnie Hamilton, saying "Just as that lady served this county for more than four decades, we hope to continue her legacy and dream as Minnie Hamilton Health System.
Friends of Minnie Hamilton provided refreshments underneath a tent erected outside the facility.
An open house celebrating the name change is scheduled for Friday in Glenville.
Outside ceremony acknowledges cutting-edge programs for rural health
Refreshments provided by the "Friends"
Just a few who have helped make a difference
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