[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 17 (Thursday, February 24, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   HOLY NAME OF JESUS MEDICAL CENTER

  Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I rise today to tell a story of a vision 
of hope and unfailing health care by the Missionary Servants of the 
Most Blessed Trinity in the city of Gadsden, AL.
  During the mid-1920's, the Sisters brought the hope of medical care 
to Gadsden. The Sisters first came to Gadsden to staff a small 25-bed 
hospital which Mother Boniface, the superior of the community, had 
purchased in late 1924 and named the Holy Name of Jesus Hospital. A 
year later, the hospital attained the needed support of a young 
surgeon, Dr. J.O. Morgan. Dr. Morgan was so respected in the community 
that other physicians joined the staff of the hospital or recommended 
the facility to their patients fostering acceptance and assistance for 
the hospital from area residents.
  After only 3 years of service, it was apparent that a larger medical 
facility was necessary. In November 1927, the cornerstone of a new 
hospital was laid. In September 1931 the new state-of-the-art hospital 
was dedicated.
  Meeting the medical needs of the sick and suffering with modern 
technology, the Holy Name of Jesus Hospital provided the first open 
heart surgery units, cardiac cathertization unit, and renal dialysis 
facility in the area. By 1977, the Holy Name of Jesus Hospital grew to 
a 200-bed medical facility. In the same year, a 12-year expansion plan 
began. With this program, the hospital grew to the status of a medical 
center offering numerous types of medical assistance such as inhospital 
care, day surgery, inservice programs, and also an upgrading in the 
training of paramedical personnel.
  During the 1980's the Holy Name of Jesus Hospital was hailed as one 
of the most advanced medical centers in northeast Alabama. Yet, the 
care of the Missionary Sisters reached far beyond the hospital walls to 
the sick at home. They cooked, cleaned, and clothed those in need. The 
poor who could not afford hospital care received aid through the 
generosity of the Sisters. No one was denied aid from the Sisters at 
the Holy Name of Jesus Hospital.
  For the 60 years, from 1928 to 1991 the Sisters also operated a 
nursing school in conjunction with the Holy Name of Jesus Hospital. The 
U.S. Army trained its nurses in the region at the school prior to 
serving their country during World War II.
  As we near the turn of the century, we can look to the Holy Name of 
Jesus Medical Center, now Riverview Medical Center, as a vision of a 
hope which provided excellent health care to the county. I salute all 
the Sisters who have served the sick and needy in their community while 
constantly striving to equip the hospital with modern, state-of-the-art 
technology. I would also like to congratulate the Sisters and all those 
involved with developing the Holy Name of Jesus Medical Center over the 
decades. The Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity will 
inspire the people of Gadsden, Etowah County, and the State of Alabama 
for many years to come.

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