Ross: Expansion at Jones Memorial already making an impact, but hospital needs help
At the end of this month Jones Memorial Hospital will cut the ribbon on its new $25 million renovation.
In my lifetime alone, the hospital was built and expanded at least three times that I recall, and at the end of the month the latest project will come to fruition.
The third phase of the $25 million transformation and modernization project nears completion as the third-floor medical village opens its doors to patients this week. The 14,000 sq. ft. expansion is home to women’s health, family medicine/OB, pediatrics, and orthopedics.
The full project will be celebrated on Jan. 31 with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the hospital at 3 p.m. Tours will be led by hospital staff and will cover the new medical village as well as the new static MRI suite and new OR units.
Of late I was able to see a lot of the work firsthand, as a patient. I was able to experience the new MRI suite. I remember the trailer and how uncomfortable it was. The new MRI is a thousand times better. I was also in the new operating room, but fortunately I have no memory of it.
My recent hospital experience brought home to me how lucky Wellsville and the county are to have a medical facility the caliber of Jones Memorial.
I have some humorous memories of my experiences at Jones over the years. During the flood of '72 we were lucky that through the quick thinking of several individuals and the grace of God the hospital was saved from destruction. Well, most of it was. A lot of things changed at the hospital that summer. I remember I had to have blood tests for an infection. I was amused because I had to go to the former snack bar to give blood. It seemed rather ironic at the time.
Another time I went to the hospital emergency room after a riding accident. I was attacked by a stallion while I was riding my gelding in a nearby paddock. The stallion bit into my upper thigh and pulled me out of the saddle. As I recall, the doctor on duty had a little trouble maintaining his decorum after noting the location of my wound.
More: How a $25M project at Jones Memorial Hospital will change health care in Allegany County
Jones has also been the site of some of the most difficult times in my life. Both my parents passed away at Jones, as well as my sister. While the circumstances were difficult, as to be expected, they were all comfortable when they passed, thanks to the caring staff and the professionalism at Jones.
Yes, this community is lucky to have Jones Memorial, and while lip service is easy there is more everyone in the local community can do.
Over the years the Jones Memorial Hospital Auxiliary has provided several services that help the hospital stay viable. They have not only pledged and raised thousands of dollars for the various projects, they also volunteer at the hospital, helping to transport patients and materials.
Members of the Auxiliary have raised funds to purchase equipment, furniture and other items for the hospital. They run the gift shop. The Auxiliary has been lauded for its service to the hospital by the state and by every CEO who has been in charge of the hospital. For years it raised funds through the Auxiliary Country Fair and the Hospital Gala and Queen Candidates.
But, things have changed for the Auxiliary in recent years. Even before COVID, membership numbers were dwindling. Like many organizations its members are aging, and new volunteers are not stepping forward like they once did. The excuse is, everyone is busy these days.
People have always been busy, but there was a time when the average person knew that there was more to living in a community than simply being a good citizen. They realized that they also need to take an active part in the community in order to make the community work for everyone. That is what members of the Auxiliary have done, and that is what they continue to do.
Jones Memorial Hospital is a benefit to the community and the Jones Memorial Hospital Auxiliary is a benefit to the hospital. To support the hospital, support the Auxiliary and find the time to give your time to the Auxiliary, the hospital and the community.
-- Kathryn Ross writes a weekly column.
This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Jones Memorial Hospital expansion already making impact in Wellsville
