More than 80 people attended the 25th Anniversary Celebration of Southern Coos Hospital at a special event on Sunday, Sept. 8, at the hospital. The celebration was in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the current Southern Coos Hospital building, which was dedicated on Sept. 9, 1999.
The festivities began in a tent set up in the parking lot of the hospital and included a special video, guest speakers and a 1999 soundtrack. Guest were then invited inside the hospital to tour the facilities, enjoy refreshments, live music, an art show and browse in the hospital’s gift shop.
SCHHC CEO Raymond Hino acted as Master of Ceremonies. Guest speakers included Mayor Mary Schamehorn, who read a proclamation to commemorate the event; Joseph Bain, president of the Southern Coos Health Foundation; Dr. Greg Aitchison, who served on the Southern Coos Health District Board and had privileges at the hospital; Victoria Tierney, who started the first Art Show at the hospital, a tradition that continues today; SCHHC Chief Information Officer Scott McEachern, who spoke about the new electronic medical records and accounting systems that will soon be implemented at the hospital; and Kendra Newbold, CEO at Coast Community Health Center, who spoke about a future collaboration between the two health entities.
Southern Coos Health District Board members were present, including Tom Bedell, Norbert Johnson, Pam Hansen, Mary Schamehorn and Bob Pickel. Several Foundation Board members were also present, including Joseph Bain, Hank Holmes and Steve Reber.
Past employees were honored and several were present for the ceremony, including long-time former employee Donna Reilly, AnnaRosa Ordonez, Edie Beckner, Melody Gillard-Juarez, Rick Frank, Juanita Montgomery and others. Four employees who moved from the former hospital to the new one and are still employed were also recognized. They include Debbie Allen, (hired in 1979), Leslie Tucker (1992), Carolyn Randolph (1996) and Cathy Mann (1997).
The following evening, Mayor Schamehorn presented the official signed and framed proclamation to Hino at the City Council meeting.
Below are some photos of the event.
