Stephens Co. Hospital Celebrates 80 Years
Stephens County Hospital hosted their 80th anniversary celebration this weekend.
On Sunday, July 30, community members, past and present hospital stakeholders and more gathered to celebrate the hospital’s history and future.
The celebration began with a musical opening by David Fry and an invocation by Brian Shelton, the provost at Toccoa Falls College.
Shelton said that TFC has a special relationship with the hospital since the college donated the land that the hospital is on.
“For TFC, we particularly celebrate the 50th Anniversary on this hospital facility on its current location,” said Shelton. “In 1964, the college donated 28 acres of land to the hospital and our trustees were happy to do that to see this new enterprise for the community take off. The grand story that comes with this donation supposedly is that a gentleman’s agreement was part of it that if ever the college started a nursing program that the hospital would be gracious enough to receive our students as part of its training experience. 50 years later, we will have our first Bachelor of Nursing class on the campus of TFC.”
Following Shelton was the welcoming comments from Chairman of the Hospital Authority, Mark Wilkinson.
He said that the hospital has a lot to celebrate.
“My three children were born out here, my grandchildren were born out here, I have family that’s alive today because they were able to come to Stephens County High School,” said Wilkinson. “Our employees are our greatest assets, we have a good administration team, we have volunteers. Our administration team has been having a hard time, we’re putting together a team and if we can’t get this thing turned around, I don’t know who can. I do believe our best days are ahead of us, if I didn’t believe it, I wouldn’t say it.”
Other parts of the celebration included recognition of the hospital’s supporters, a celebratory address by GA representative Dan Gasaway and a benediction by Reverend Jerrell Beatty. There were also memorabilia and old photos on display and a reception in the cafeteria.