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City of Peny 175th Birthday, Nov. 17, 1999, Houston Home Journal Page 6B One leader’s birthday notes on a “wonderful little city and its people” An Open Letter My friend, Steve Lakis, President of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation, lives on “the Cape” in Massachusetts. Is there a more prestigious address in the United States? Recently Steve visited with Janice and me in Perry (his third trip, I think), and after his return home, he told me that he said to his wife, Lynn, “1 believe that 1 would enjoy living in Perry, Georgia.” What a great compliment to this wonderful little city and its people! 1 have traveled all over this country and in many parts of the world (1 was in South America last week), and let me say that in my opinion, Perry is unique, a “winner town," if you would. And it is not just us “locals” that sense this. 1 have been questioned about Perry by reporters from U.S.A. Today, the New York A history of Perry Hospital When Perry Hospital first opened a private room cost just S2O per day By Mary Jane Kjnnas Houston Healthcare Complex Until 1969, Perry’s medical ser vices included a few physicians, but no hospital at all. Residents of Perry had to go out of town for hospital care. However, as Perry's and Houston County’s population grew during the 1950 s and 1960’5, civic and business leaders saw an urgent need for a hospital. A group of dedicated citizens pursued this goal, and in 1957, the Houston County Board of Commissioners established the first Hospital Authority of Houston County. Serving on this first Authority were Stanley E. Smith, Jr., mayor of Perry, Houser B. Gilbert, Wendell K. Whipple, Dreyfus L. Fountain, Albert Hudson, Sr., A.P. Yearwood, H. Alton Tucker, Charlie L. Williams, Sr., Kemp A. Harrison and Gene Wall. In 1958, the citizens of Houston County passed a $400,000 bond issue to build a 50-bed hospital in Warner Robins. This hospital opened in 1960. Four years later, additional hos pital beds were needed, and Houston County voters approved a 5900.000 bond issue to build a new hospital in Perry and expand the Warner Robins facility. Funds from the bond issue, Times, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, to the Macon Telegraph, the Houston Home Journal and WMAZ television. Perry is clean. A New York Times reporter labeled it “pris tine.” But beyond physical neat ness, its city government has a history of honesty and “doing the right and legal thing.” Thank a long line of outstanding mayors and involved and concerned members of the city council for this. Perry schools have been out standing and many administra tive officials, school board mem bers and school teachers are owed our admiration and appreciation. Perry has had outstanding leadership - both in the political arena and in the business com munity. Most of the positive things that have happened here did not happen by accident or because we along with matching state and fed eral funds, were used to construct the new Perry hospital, which was built at a cost of $ 1,048,000, on 20 acres located on Morningside Drive. On April 2, 1969, the new Perry-Houston County Hospital opened as a 45-bed acute care hos pital with nine bassinets in the nurs ery. On opening day,, the hospital had four patients, including one mother and new baby. Initially, the hospital employed 70 people and a private room cost approximately S2O per day. Dr. J.L. Gallemore was Perry’s first chief of staff. Other physicians and dentists on the medical staff included J.R. Arnall, L.A. Erbele, A.G. Hendrik, B.L. Pilcher, Ronald G. Severs, H.E. Weems, A.M. Deloach, C.E. Graham and W.R. Jeries. Myron L. McDonald, Administrator of the Warner Robins facility, also served as the first Administrator of the Perry Houston County Hospital. Austin A. Click was the assistand administrator of the Perry facility, and Alberta Jarres was the first director of nursing ser vices. The Perry-Houston County Hospital was the first hospital in the state to have an active Pink Ladies Auxiliary before it opened its doors. This Auxiliary, organized by the were somehow “entitled.” They happened because of great leader ship! But beyond physical attrac tiveness, clean government, fine schools, and outstanding leader ship, it is my opinion that the one thing that has made Perry signifi cantly different and unique is the strong involvement of churches in our community. Look at the record. The business, political and school leaders have also been involved church lay people, our churches have greatly influenced our community and we are better for it. Happy 175th Birthday to the City of Perry. May the next 175 years be as good for Perry and its citizens. Sincerely, Larry Walker Larry Walker represents Perry and the 14Is t District in the Georgia State Assembly Idaka Club of Perry, included 43 active members. During the 1980 s. the Perry- Houston County Hospital was renamed as Perry Hospital and expanded its facilities. The hospital added a laboratory building, a new emergency room intensive care unit and physical therapy/respiratory care therapy servies. In 1996, the hospital completed construction of the Family Beginnings Maternity Center, featur ing six birthing suites and a newborn nursery, as well as a new outpatient surgery center. The hospital relocated the labora tory inside the hospital and expanded the radiology area and the medical staff library in 1997. The former lab oratory buiding was renovated for physician office space. Today, Perry Hospital, a part of the Houston Healthcare Complex, is a 45-bed acute care facility, employ ing over 200 people, and offering comprehensive services. The hospi tal’s medical staff specializes in family medicine, internal medicine, obstet rics, gynecology, surgery, urology and pediatrics. Lora Davis is the administrator and Dr. Horatio V. Cabasares is the chief of staff. Eugene R. McDannald, Jr., M.D. is the chief executive. to t/tc (j/ 'to of fjCe/rn an f 76 &reat 9Jcars! 7^(Y?ci/dtc*iz A %T) INTERIORS 903 CARROLL STREET, PERRY 987-4511 Happy Birthday Perry! We are proud to join you in celebrating 175 years of good hometown values, community spirit, progress and prosperity at the Crossroads of Georgia