Two words: 'Community' and 'Hospital'

In all the years of McCook's history -- a total of 122 years taking place in three different centuries -- there is little doubt that one of the greatest fund-raising accomplishments was the hospital fund drive of the early 1970s.

It was amazing what this town accomplished.

Once it was learned that the old hospital, St. Catherine's, was out of compliance with federal health care rules and that a new hospital was needed, the people of McCook and the surrounding area responded with overwhelming support. The original goal -- $375,000 -- was exceeded by an impressive margin, with the people giving more than $600,000. By campaign's end, the fund drive goal had been topped by a whopping 60 percent, amounting to an additional $225,000 for the hospital project.

In the Centennial Edition of 1982, the Gazette estimated that "90 percent of those contacted in the area pledged to the new hospital and the figure was closer to 99 percent in McCook." In other words, just about everyone contributed.

With that kind of response, those who named the hospital were right on the mark when they chose "Community Hospital" for the title. Because -- as the united giving illustrates" -- this is a "community" hospital.

We, therefore, take great pride today as we pay tribute to Community Hospital on its 30th anniversary in an eight-page special edition.

The completion of the hospital -- in June of 1974 -- heralded a new day and a new way for health care in the McCook region. Not only did the hospital take a huge stride forward 30 years ago, but the community and the hospital have continued to go forward since the move to the spacious campus on the eastern side of McCook.

Just think about all that has taken place. An expanded parking lot ... the Southwest Nebraska Medical Center ... an out-patient surgery wing ... a three-bay emergency room with an ambulance garage ... a CT scanner and expanded business and office and medical records department ... areas for ultrasound and mammography ... an upgraded cafeteria ... a new front entry ... a larger lab and improvements in the nursery and the central nurse's station ... the construction of the new, spacious McCook Clinic and the acquisition of the Stinnette Building for advanced renal services and the Community Hospital Health Foundation.

In McCook -- as in America -- the advances in health care have been stunning, and we have a a continuing, 30-year commitment to caring and quality to thank for the achievements.

Two familiar words -- "community" and "hospital" -- tell the story. There could be no better title for the McCook area's hospital. Community Hospital ... 30 outstanding years of caring for this community.