Hospital celebrates 80th birthday

On Thursday, Nevada Mayor Brian Leonard reads a proclamation marking the 80th anniversary of Nevada Regional Medical Center. Founded as Nevada City Hospital, it opened in December of 1937. This fair weather date for the celebration was chosen to coincide with the hospital’s block party for the staff and their family members to be held this evening. Standing with the mayor is Kevin Leeper, Chief Executive Officer at NRMC.

Johannes Brann

Thursday morning saw Nevada Mayor Brian Leonard read a proclamation marking the 80th birthday for Nevada Regional Medical Center. This was followed by a few remarks, the singing of Happy Birthday along with the cutting of two large cakes, serving pieces to employees and members of the public on hand.

What originally was called Nevada City Hospital opened its doors at its South Adams Street location, in what is now the Medical Arts Building, on Dec. 20, 1937.

As the second largest employer in Vernon County, the hospital and its related facilities have over 450 employees.

Said Judith Herstein, director of community relations and foundation, “That includes those who are full-time, part-time, PRN [pro re nata is Latin for “as the situation demands”] our physicians and all those at our clinics as well as those at Barone and Moore-Few Care Centers.”

Said hospital board member and finance committee chair, Dr. Brad Copeland, “This is a wonderful testament to the history of the community, to build and support an institution like this for that long. Hopefully, we can continue to do that.”

A new graphic on the south side wall at the main entryway on Ash Street, depicts the original and current facilities, along with the dates 1937-2017 and the words 80th anniversary.

Looking at that graphic and reflecting for a moment, Kevin Leeper, chief executive officer of NRMC said, “Three different building phases and four generations. We are very proud to have been here this long. We know how valuable a hospital is for a community of any size but certainly this size warrants a very nice facility that we’re so proud to be part of and deliver. And we are here for 80 years more.”

While not present, Herstein paid tribute to Donna Logan and Rita Ephland Lentz. Logan was the last baby born at the city’s previous medical center — Amerman Hospital — and, along with her mother, was among the first patients at the new hospital. Ephland was the first child born at Nevada City Hospital.

Both are alive and well and sent their best wishes.

While Nevada City Hospital opened on Dec. 20, the day prior, the community’s previous medical center, Amerman Hospital closed its doors. That facility was located in a no longer existing building at what is now the west side addition to the US Bank mortgage center, along Ash Street, between Austin and Cherry Streets.

Community Relations Coordinator Natalie Eberhard said the upcoming block party will be on the Adams Street side — near the hospital’s original location — and will feature a bounce house for children along with a band and lots of food.

Speaking of the original building, Herstein, whose office is located there said, “Whenever there’s a tornado warning my husband calls me and I tell him, ‘I think I’m in the safest building in Vernon County.’ Its walls are so thick. It’s lasted a long time and I think, so will this hospital.”