Craig Daily Press

Craig — Officials and administrators from The Memorial Hospital began discussions at the end of May on the possibility of changing the hospital’s name — a name that carries a legacy dating back nearly six decades — when TMH opens its new facility next year.

It’s likely that community members have their own opinions — opinions that, by all accounts, hospital officials want to hear — on whether TMH should in fact change the name.

The Editorial Board is no different.

Board members discussed the possible name change at its meeting Monday and reached the consensus that there is no harm in TMH officials simply exploring a change to correspond with the opening of the new hospital west of town.

As long as considering a name change doesn’t entail spending any money or require a significant time commitment from hospital administrators and staffers, the Editorial Board sees little harm in exploring a change.

Note that the board’s stance is examining a name change only, at this point, and falls short of a full endorsement for a switch. Board members, like the community at large, need more information than what currently is available before making a decision.

The idea to consider the name change stemmed from a hospital building committee — made up of local residents, physicians and hospital board members — recommendation and, according to TMH officials, wasn’t an idea born from changing for changing’s sake.

Perhaps, the question is just.

Does TMH, which soon enters a new era at a new facility, wipe the slate clean and start over, in a sense? Or, does the current name, one that pays homage to the valiant men and women who fought in World War II, carry a significance that should live on?

One more question also should be asked: What is the hospital’s strategy for the future? Does it seek to become a facility that caters not only to Craig and Moffat County, but the region as well?

If so, a name tailored to Northwest Colorado might be in order.

These are just a few factors up for examination. But, the X-factor in the discussion is what makes TMH, and all public entities in general, function.

The public.

More specifically, the desire of the public.

The hospital board began a preliminary discussion at its meeting last month on the change, and to date, a decision hasn’t been made.

As it should, TMH officials seem intent on taking public opinion into account before making a decision. This presents community members an opportunity to weigh-in on the subject and help shape policy.

The Editorial Board believes TMH has acted appropriately in exploring a potential opportunity and seeking public feedback. It’s time for the public to respond in kind by letting any and all opinions be told to the ears listening.