Decision on new hospital name tabled
By ANNE BLANKENSHIP Daily Freeman-Journal Managing Editor and The Associated PressThe new hospital facility under construction east of the Hamilton County Courthouse has no name yet, but the Hamilton Hospital board of trustees voted Tuesday night to name the street on which it will be located as Hospital Drive.
For the second month, the trustees tabled action on the naming of the facility. In October, a committee of board members proposed the name Van Diest Medial Center, to recognize the project's donation - $10 million from Bob and Mary Van Diest.
Board members George Heller, Steve Mourlam and Carroll Ose served on the committee. Heller said the group felt it was appropriate to honor the hospital's $10 million benefactors.
"Just about every building in the community where there was a substantial contribution has been named for that donor," Heller said. He pointed out Fuller Hall, Prem Sahai Auditorium, and Kendall Young Library as three examples of that practice.
Administrator Palmer Schneider said, "In checking with the law firm of Dorsey and Whitney, it appears it would be easiest to leave the hospital's legal name as Hamilton County Public Hospital and adopt a "Doing Business As" or d/b/a Van Diest Medical Center. This is what was done when the hospital adopted the d/b/a Hamilton Hospital."
Board member Don Bottorff said the building itself could be named for the Van Diests, while the hospital would legally operate still as Hamilton County Public Hospital.
Schneider said it would be more difficult to change the hospital's legal name.
In tabling official action on the facility's name, the board asked committee member Heller to visit with the Van Diests to see if there any concerns or wishes on their part. He was asked to report back at the December meeting.
The board considered several names for the north-south street in front of the new hospital before settling on Hospital Drive. Bottorff, who suggested that name, said it would give those trying to find the facility a good indication of where it would be found.
The City of Webster City requested that the hospital trustees come up with a name for the road.
Schneider also reported that windows were currently being installed at the new hospital building, and that should be completed by the end of the month. Brick work on the exterior is also nearing completion, ne said.
In other business, the board approved the 2008-2009 hospital audit. Kevin Morey of BKD, the hospital's audit firm, gave an overview of the audit in October. The hospital received an unqualified audit opinion.
Contact Anne Blankenship at editor@freemanjournal.net or call 832-4350.
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peppermintpatty
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11-19-09 11:28 AM
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seems that it's the folks for the hospital pushing to have them recognized. why not name the STREET after them? "van diest parkway" or something. seems that would be the least expensive option here.
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USECOMMONSENSE
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11-18-09 12:44 PM
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What happened to V.D.not wanting the recognition or the hospital to have his name ? More waist with taxpayer money. Leave the old name & use the meetings for something constructive.
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