On the road to its 50th anniversary celebration this week, Utah Valley Regional Medical Center has racked up some interesting facts and statistics.
Did you know:- Tolboe & Tolboe of Provo received the contract to build the hospital on May 16, 1938. On Aug. 1, 1939, at a cost of $330,000, the facility was completed.
- Paul Wayne Carroll was the first baby born in the hospital - nine days after its opening. More than 143,000 babies have been born at Utah Valley during its 50-year history, including the 1.5 millionth baby born in Utah - Aleisha Kati Rohbock, on June 17, 1981, to Charles and Myrna H. Rohbock of Orem.
- In 1939, it was estimated that the cost of operating and maintaining the hospital would be $15,000 to $20,000 per year. Today, the hospital spends more than $100 million annually for upkeep and maintenance.
- Columbia Steel Co., previous owner of Geneva Steel, donated $7,500 to help build Utah Valley Hospital. Employees at the steel plant donated an additional $2,500. Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Co. also donated $7,500. Utah Power & Light employees donated $693.50 to the hospital construction fund. Altogether, $90,000 was raised through community donations for construction of Utah Valley. A grant of $200,000 came from the Commonwealth Fund of New York, a philanthropic organization.
- The first superintendent of the hospital was Freda Consigny, a registered nurse. She had been superintendent at Pocatello General Hospital.
- When the hospital opened on Sept. 10, 1939, it had 55 beds, 12 bassinets and 38 physicians on the medical staff. During the first year, 1,320 patients were treated and 372 babies were born. Today, the medical center has 409 beds, 73 bassinets, 290 physicians on staff and more than 1,800 employees. In 1988, 161,683 outpatients and 14,435 inpatients were treated at the hospital; 4,000 babies were born.
- The hospital's name was changed from Utah Valley Hospital to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in May 1984.
Firsts:
- The first quadruplets - two boys and two girls - at the hospital were born on Jan. 5, 1982, to Jeff and Jolene Welch of Sandy.
- In September 1985 the medical center opened the first on-site corporate day-care program in the state. More than 30 children, from newborn to 4 years old, were there for the first day.
- On April 1, 1987, Utah Valley became the first major medical facility in the state to ban smoking.
- The first open-heart surgery at the hospital was performed in May 1982 by Drs. Klint Stander and Mark A. Fullmer.
- In September 1980, Dr. Larry Noble performed the first radial keratotomy surgery to correct nearsightedness in Utah.
Who's who at Utah Valley:
- Louie Kinyon, a lab technician, is also a wood carver.
- Kenneth Tuttle, a psychologist, is a falconer.
- Terri Joyner, a cashier, has what some have called a shrine to brother Wally Joyner, first basemen for the major-league baseball California Angels. Her office is plastered with posters, photos and mementos of her brother's career; kids who visit the office received baseball cards autographed by Wally.
- The hospital's newest employee is Mark Bills, who began working Monday as a licensed practical nurse. The employee who has been with the hospital the longest is registered nurse Beverly Hoyt, who started in 1954.
- John Yorkie, data processing, is an amateur car racer.
- Dr. Steve Minton, a neonatologist, collects trolls. His office is full of the little creatures - many given to him by members of the staff and appreciative families.
- Marilyn Thorne, director of dietary services, collects necklaces of semiprecious stones from around the world.
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Hospital exhibits, health fair commemorate anniversary
Events this week commemorating Utah Valley Regional Medical Center's 50th anniversary include:
- Displays and exhibits, through Saturday in the hospital's lobbies and halls. Featured will be old surgical instruments, historical pharmaceuticals and equipment, vintage laboratory equipment, a Volunteer Auxiliary photo exhibit and a historical photo display of the hospital.
- A health fair will be held at University Mall on Friday, Sept. 15, and Saturday, Sept. 16, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. A variety of informational displays as well as screenings will be offered, including cholesterol and glucose testing, blood pressure checks, heart rhythm strips and pulmonary functions.