[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 122 (Friday, July 27, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1640]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO BLOUNT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 27, 2007

  Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a hospital that 
embodies the spirit, standard, and strength of the community it serves.
  Blount Memorial Hospital in Maryville, Tennessee first opened its 
doors 60 years ago with 50 beds and 12 doctors. Now, with hundreds of 
beds and doctors and numerous outreach facilities, the hospital sets a 
new standard for community healthcare.
  The citizens of Maryville are blessed to have at their disposal such 
quality care close to home. People of many other communities its size 
must often travel to bigger towns for full care, but this is not so in 
Blount County, Tennessee.
  I am extremely honored to represent the fine men and women who work 
hard every day to make Blount Memorial hospital a source of community 
pride.
  The hospital's transformation into a premiere medical facility could 
not have occurred without the outstanding leadership of its long-time 
administrator. Joe Dawson has witnessed many milestones in his 22 years 
at Blount Memorial, and I am sure he will spearhead many more. I thank 
him for his leadership.
  Madam Speaker, in closing, I would like to call to the attention of 
my colleagues and other readers of the Record the article from the 
Daily Times newspaper, which is reprinted below.

                 [From the Daily Times, July 25, 2007]

                              BMH Turns 60

                           (By Jessica Stith)

       With 50 beds and 12 physicians, Blount Memorial Hospital 
     opened its doors to the community 60 years ago. Now, the 
     hospital houses over 304 licensed beds, not including the 76 
     beds in their transitional care center or the 92 beds in 
     MorningView Village, a senior community. The hospital 
     currently employs more than 280 physicians on active and 
     courtesy staffs.
       On Tuesday, 24 American flags were unveiled down East Lamar 
     Alexander Parkway in front of the hospital in celebration of 
     the hospital's 60th anniversary and in honor of those who 
     have died in the line of duty, those missing in action and 
     those who served and continue to serve our Nation.
       Past and present employees, board members, physicians, 
     volunteers, hospital partners from the past and friends of 
     the Blount Memorial Hospital family joined to celebrate and 
     recall the history of the hospital.
       Two proclamations were presented to the hospital--one from 
     Blount County and the cities of Maryville and Alcoa and a 
     second from the Tennessee House of Representatives.
       Joe Dawson, who became the hospital's sixth administrator 
     in 1985, opened the ceremony by welcoming guests in the 
     birthday celebration of the hospital. ``This is the actual 
     first day (July 24) Blount Memorial took their first 
     patient,'' Dawson said.
       Dawson said the 24 honor flags would be displayed on 
     patriotic holidays and the hospital's anniversary each year.
       Robert Redwine, president of the hospital's board of 
     directors, said this year's anniversary theme was, ``Honoring 
     the past. Ensuring the future.'' Redwine pointed out the rich 
     history and milestones of the hospital. He said the need for 
     the hospital arose in the early 1940s when ALCOA Inc.'s North 
     Plant was built.
       The hospital's ``founding fathers,'' Judge George Roberts, 
     Joe Gamble and A.D. Huddleston. were appointed to investigate 
     the feasibility of building a publicly owned hospital in the 
     county.
       In 1945, the Federal Works Agency agreed to finance about 
     50 percent ($200,000) of the $400,000 needed to build it. The 
     community raised $200,000 that included a $100,000 donation 
     from ALCOA. The aluminum company's contribution included a 
     day's pay given by every worker, Redwine said.
       A 14-acre site was purchased, and Maryville College donated 
     0.675 acres of land in front of Walland Highway, where 
     construction began.
       On Blount Memorial's first day of operation, 40 patients 
     were brought to the hospital by ambulance and six were 
     admitted. The staff performed two operations, dealt with two 
     emergencies and delivered a baby boy, Richard Brown.
       Since that day, the hospital has grown significantly in its 
     size and services offered. In the past 10 years, The Good 
     Samaritan Clinic, Blount Memorial Health Center at Tellico 
     West in Vonore, Home Equipment Services office, MorningView 
     Village, Transitional Care Center, Breast Health Center, 
     Atrium Cafe and an outpatient diagnostic center at 
     Springbrook have been opened--not to mention many 
     additions and renovations.
       Redwine thanked many partners and friends of the hospital 
     for their continued support. ``And of course we want to thank 
     the community for your continued support,'' Redwine said.
       ``We are here to serve you.'' ``Please remember this is 
     your hospital. We want you to be proud of it, and we want you 
     to use it.''
       Proclamations read:
       Blount County Mayor Jerry Cunningham, Alcoa Mayor Don Mull 
     and Maryville Vice Mayor Tom Taylor presented a joint 
     proclamation to the hospital on behalf of the county and 
     cities. The proclamation ``declares July 24, 2007, as Blount 
     Memorial Hospital's 60th Anniversary Day,'' and encourages 
     the community to join the celebration.
       State Rep. Doug Overbey and Rep. Joe McCord presented a 
     proclamation to the hospital stating that the ``General 
     Assembly is privileged to recognize Blount Memorial Hospital 
     for its countless contributions to the well-being of the 
     citizens of Tennessee.''
       Senator and retired physician Raymond Finney spoke at the 
     celebration about how he was glad to be ``back home'' as he 
     was on staff at Blount Memorial Hospital for 33 years. He 
     talked about the hospital's accomplishments and credited many 
     of those to great leadership who have been there for years.
       ``One of the things that makes this hospital so good is 
     capable people that stay put,'' Finney said. ``I really 
     appreciate what's been accomplished here. I know what is 
     going on across the state in health care, and we have an 
     exemplary hospital here.''
       Dawson said he expects the hospital to continue growing and 
     believes the hospital will reach many more goals by its 70th 
     anniversary. ``We're very much a reflection of Blount County 
     and the changes of Blount County,'' Dawson said.
       In the next 5 to 10 years, Dawson said he expects the 
     hospital will have new technology and said the hospital will 
     be ``reaching out into the community'' more by building more 
     primary care and outpatient facilities.

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