1997 - 2007

10 Year Anniversary

 

 

It is difficult to believe that 1/10/07 was the 10 year anniversary of Endless Mountains Health Systems acquisition of Montrose General Hospital. Planning for that acquisition actually started 5 years prior to its becoming reality. Many people donated their time and expertise in meetings week after week, month after month and year after year.

 

The focus was always clear, with the objective of preserving the health system that was started by Raymond L. Bennett, MD, Paul B. Kerr, MD, Eudora Bennett, RN and Donna Kerr, RN. Their dedication provided the opportunity to continue and expand the services provided.

 

A decade plus ago, the discussion centered on preserving the acute care hospital and medical services. Most people were supportive, some were not. We were in a period of transition with a common goal supported by the patients and families, Endless Mountains Health Systems newly formed Board of Directors, owners of Montrose General Hospital, medical staff, employees, county and local government, volunteers and area residents.

 

Ten years later, acute care hospital services have been preserved and services have been expanded. Space is at a premium due to increased patient volumes and increased services. In that time period EMHS has moved to digital imaging services, CT, expanded rehabilitation, expanded specialty providers (orthopaedic , cardiology, urology, rheumatology, gynecology, etc.), emergency room expansion, computerized pharmacy system, equipment replacement and facility renovation to name a few.

 

The medical staff has been very supportive in providing their expertise and leadership in moving forward. In 2006 Jose Enrique Nazar, MD, orthopaedic surgeon was welcomed on a full time basis by the other full time members, Joseph M. Speicher, DO, Ihab Dana, MD, Hassan Khalil, MD, Ellis Rucker, MD and Ezz-Eldin Moukamal, MD. An additional full time medical staff member will be joining the EMHS medical staff in early 2007.

 

Part of the focus for the first ten years has been the addition of services to meet the needs of our service area. The most recent has been the addition of full time orthopaedic surgery services under the direction of Dr. Nazar. This required renovation of an operating room, various pieces of equipment and expansion in a number of departments.

 

In the past 10 years there have been approximately 10,000 hospital admissions, 35,000 emergency room visits, 330,000 physician visits and tens of thousands of laboratory studies, imaging studies and other ancillary studies and services.

 

Shortly after the development of Endless Mountains Health Systems, The Endless Mountains Medical Care Foundation formed. The Foundation has played a critical role through funding equipment, building renovations and land acquisition. In this past year the Foundation funded equipment for the operating room, cardio-pulmonary, emergency room and short procedure unit.

 

The next 10 years promise to be as exciting and rewarding as the last with many positive developments planned or in the planning stages.

 

 Rexford O. Catlin,

 Chief Executive Officer