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GB Hospital celebrates 20
The Celebration began with a program under a spacious white tent erected in front of the hospital. Hospital Administrator Dick Fulford welcomed those that attended and expressed his gratitude to the community for its wonderful support over the past 20 years. “Gulf Breeze Hospital has received many awards and national recognitions over the last 20 years, but none as satisfying as knowing that the people we serve trust us with their families and lives,” he said. Following the Invocation delivered by Rev. Robert Dekker, chairman of the Gulf Breeze Hospital Volunteer Chaplains Association, CEO of Baptist Health Care, Alfred (Al) G. Stubblefield spoke. He traced the history of Baptist Hospital and recognized the fact that from its earliest beginnings, a Board made up of local citizens like Ed Gray and Harry Wilder guided Gulf Breeze Hospital. He stressed the importance of the partnership of the city of Gulf Breeze and the local hospital. “Every single year, this hospital has grown in service to the community,” he stated. He announced that with the completion of the Andrews Institute in the next 18 months, and all the hospital renovations and the recently built medical office building, cancer center and physical therapy building, Baptist Hospital Incorporated will have invested nearly $70 million dollars in the Gulf Breeze community. He also stated that the ongoing hospital renovations should be completed within the next two months. “That investment is by far the largest capital investment that Baptist Health Care has ever made to any entity. I think that shows the commitment that our Board and our Organization has to meet the needs of this community far into the future.” Stubblefield attributed the “incredible force” that has created the “world class service” of Gulf Breeze Hospital to Richard Fulford who leaves an “incredible legacy” reflected by the fact that for nine years running, Gulf Breeze Hospital has consistently been named the #1 hospital in the country in patient satisfaction. He announced that the Board and senior management, desiring to recognize Fulford’s legacy, is naming the new medical office building the Richard C. Fulford Medical Office Building. Cheers went up from the audience and the plaque that will hang in the building was read and a large portrait of him was unveiled. Fulford received a standing ovation. He attributed his contribution to the successful union of leaders and partners. “That’s what you have to have; you don’t do it alone. It takes a full team and that full team has gotten behind Gulf Breeze Hospital,” he said. “I may be a symbol here next year, but it goes right back to the people who work here that I work with and not for.” Jerry Maygarden, president of the Baptist Health Care Foundation then recognized the financial generosity of several contributors, for whom different areas of the hospital or its buildings were named. Among them were Ted and Natalie Ciano, Ciano Cancer Center; Virginia and Bob Bothfeld, the Pharmacy; Ed Gray III, in memory of Ed Gray, Jr., ER Admitting; Harry and Jill Wilder, Employee Lounges in the OR; and family and friends of Dr. and Mrs. B.B. Jordan, The Dr. BB Jordan Front Lobby. Also recognized were Larry and Ann-Marie Boyer (Emergency Consult area) and Darryl and Linda LaPointe (Donor Recognition Wall) who made sizable contributions in memory of others. Speaking on the theme, “Our Hospital, Our Community, Growing Together,” Dick Fulford stated, “That’s been our theme and we’re sticking to it.” He said with the January ‘06 completion of the new 8,000 sq. ft. Endoscopy Center, a joint venture between Gastroenterology Associates and Gulf Breeze/Baptist Hospital, the hospital will have almost doubled in size. He introduced and endorsed his successor, Bob Harriman who takes over as Hospital Administrator on July 1. Pointing out the recent renovations and past accomplishments, Harrison stated, “We are clearly poised for growth. I am here, standing on the shoulders of those who came before me. We will certainly build on the strengths and the foundation that Dick laid before us, and hopefully move on into the future with the same gusto, the same pride and the same commitment.” Following the program, the attendees were invited to enjoy refreshments, tour the new renovations, and participate in the health screenings offered in the new Richard C. Fulford Medical Office Building. |
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