June 27, 2008
Craig — The word "memorial" was originally included in the name of The Memorial Hospital to honor men and women who had served in World War II.
Nearly 60 years later, hospital officials have decided the name will remain the same.
At its Wednesday meeting, the hospital board decided not to update the hospital's name. The name-change issue has been a discussion point for the board since it was brought up at the May 28 meeting.
Samantha Johnston, TMH service excellence officer, presented a slideshow demonstrating the poll results of the community following the suggestion of the name change. A total of 316 Craig residents voiced their opinions through community meetings, telephone and e-mail input and the Daily Press online poll conducted from May 18 to 25.
"A lot of people on the Press Web site seemed to think that we had already made up our minds, and that their opinions didn't count," Johnston said. "They described it as 'smoke and mirrors' in their comments."
The poll included 220 voters, with 60 percent, or 133 voters, opting against the name change. 25 percent (55 voters) agreed with the name change idea, while 14 percent (32 voters) needed more information.
TMH-hosted forums for the community and hospital employees provided the other 96 votes, with 63 percent advocating the old name.
Johnston said she wanted to see more of a turnout.
"I personally hoped that people would polarize on this issue," Johnston said. "The votes that we got were valuable, but the more people that weigh in give us more information to make a good decision."
Board members also discussed the possibility of using "memorial" in a different capacity, such as "Memorial Medical Center" or "Memorial Health Center." They decided that the amount of responses they already had received did not warrant any further debate, and that keeping The Memorial Hospital's name would be the most effective decision.
Summing up the finality of the conclusion, chief executive officer George Rohrich said that the issue was "not a hill worth dying on."
No vote was required to keep the name, and there was no action involved.
Johnston explained the initial reason behind the name change was the desire of the board members to get the community involved in the ownership of the new hospital.
"We want to at least get people's opinions," she said. "We truly wanted their input on this, but I guess if more people had been really passionate about the issue, they would have come out in droves to talk about it. It was silence that left us to make this decision. Maybe in 10 years or so, a name change will come up again, and we'll see if people have more to say about it."
Advertisement
Advertisement
27 June 2008
at 9:47 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
50cal (Anonymous) says…
all that hard work we put into a name change. man I kinda feel let down now!
P.S. thanks for listening maybe we could rededicate it to the new war dead.
27 June 2008
at 10:37 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
grannyrett (Anonymous) says…
50—Don't do your celebration dance yet! Read the last of the article again. Sam says—”Maybe in 10 years or so, a name change will come up again, and we'll see if people have more to say about it.” They haven't given up!
Sam—Want to explain this? Probably not—you don't go on the forums much anymore.
At the YVEA picnic last Saturday I spoke to several of the veterans who were here at the time the hospital was built and named. It was named in their honor and it is a slap in the face to even suggest changing the name. Some guys better get their priorities straight. We are a community that honors our veterans—unless we become so Californiaized that we don't give a s—t about anyone but ourselves.
27 June 2008
at 10:51 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
50cal (Anonymous) says…
Well maybe in ten years or so. They must be waiting on a few more californicaters to show up on our little corner of our world. Who the H E double hockey sticks is Sam? if you want to get offended I would think the CEO's comment about a hill not worth dying for would show where he comes from on memorials. Allot of our boys died on hills not worth dying for so people here could have the freedom to name memorials to them.
27 June 2008
at 11:34 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
STANHATHHORN (Anonymous) says…
Amen, That “hill” comment was beyond thoughtless
27 June 2008
at 11:38 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
50cal (Anonymous) says…
yeah its really nice to think hes in charge. its a wonder he knew it was on a hill
27 June 2008
at 1:16 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
grannyrett (Anonymous) says…
50—Sam is Samantha Johnson, information person at the memorial hospital. i get tired of TMH. The hill comment was made by a person who probably never watched a war movie, much less ever did anything to honor veterans. Ignorance around here amazes me. Come on George—apologize to the Veterans out there. Probably be a cold day in you know where before they ever apologize for anything.
27 June 2008
at 1:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
STANHATHHORN (Anonymous) says…
I believe Mr. Rohrich may be a veteran. He did take a roll in bringing the Vietnam Wall to Craig, but the comment was insensitive.
27 June 2008
at 4:10 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
50cal (Anonymous) says…
if hes a veteran then its double the ignorance
28 June 2008
at 9:10 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
AltitudeAdjustment (Anonymous) says…
50 Cal,
I am sure many are taking his comment out of context. I read it and didn't even consider any association between our veterans, the name, and the comment “a hill worth dying for.” Actually I believe that many of the hospital's employees are veterans, including the CEO who was very instrumental in bring the moving wall here.
Granny,
I would look to see the hospital revisit a name change sooner than 10 years. Maybe as soon as 18 months. Keep in mind that the memorial hospital isn't just a hospital anymore. They do so much more than just hospital type of services. Most hospitals have changed their name to a more uptodate “Medical Center” since they offer a wide range of services (See: YVMC).
That much being said, it would be a big switch to have to call the hospital by a different name. Even if they did change the name it would take about 20 eyars before the average citizen would begin reffering to it by its new name instead of TMH. Even then it would always be reffered to in general as “the hospital.”
28 June 2008
at 7:30 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
50cal (Anonymous) says…
Altitude,
the comment should mean alot to any veterans, giving the fact that the hospital board has been so insensitive in so many aspects of the name change I wouldn't put it past him. I guess having been on a hill or two and having relitives that were on a hill or two that were not worth dying for it hits you different when seen written that way. The name of that hospital is all about veterans.
28 June 2008
at 9:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
AltitudeAdjustment (Anonymous) says…
Point made 50. I never thought about it that way. Was this point ever addressed by the local VFW or American Legion Post? What did they say about the name change idea?
28 June 2008
at 10:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
50cal (Anonymous) says…
very strongly made against it. worse part is that only six people showed up to oppose it. there was alot of people saying no in the community but no face time. It doesn't need to stay the original but I do believe memorial should be in there, it sets us apart. not many places are dedicating anything to vets anymore.