House Resolution 91

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING LAWRENCE COUNTY HOSPITAL ON THE CELEBRATION OF ITS FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY.

WHEREAS, in March of 1960, Lawrence County Hospital in Monticello, Mississippi, began its ministry to the sick; and

WHEREAS, the economic contribution of Lawrence County Hospital to the community has grown from $114,000.00 in 1960 to $14,000,000.00 in 2010; and

WHEREAS, the original medical staff included: Drs. Lee Trapp, John Waller, George Conn and Brantley B. Pace, all of Monticello; and

WHEREAS, in April of 1960, Lawrence County Hospital reported eight births and four operations while being staffed by 27 employees caring for an average of four patients per day at a cost of $14.00 per day for a private room and $11.00 per day for a semiprivate room; and

WHEREAS, administrators at Lawrence County Hospital have included Herman Drake, who was the first and worked for a salary of $500.00 per month for duties which included x-ray and lab work, Byron Todd, Bill Nelson, Debbie Roberts and currently Semmes Ross; and

WHEREAS, in 1980, an addition and complete renovation were accomplished and presently a new fire suppression system is being installed; and

WHEREAS, in 2001, because of financial considerations, Lawrence County Hospital was leased to Southwest Mississippi Medical Center, which has enabled Lawrence County Hospital to again attain financial stability and to offer many services it could not do on its own; and

WHEREAS, Lawrence County Hospital currently offers a variety of clinical services including cardiology, gastroenterology and ophthalmology; and

WHEREAS, its outpatient department performs CT scans, x-ray and lab work locally for the convenience of its patients; and

WHEREAS, Lawrence County Hospital also offers outpatient physical and occupational therapy and an intensive outpatient program designed to treat older individuals who are troubled by psychiatric disorders that do not require inpatient treatment; and

WHEREAS, Lawrence County Hospital continues to play a vital, progressive and irreplaceable role in the Lawrence County community; and

WHEREAS, Lawrence County Hospital could not exist without its present medical staff which includes Drs. Bonita Musial, Andrea Marshall, Richard G. Burris, Joe A. Ward, Syed Ahmed, James W. Stephens and last, but certainly not least, Dr. Brantley B. Pace, who has ministered to the healthcare needs of Lawrence County since the March 1960 opening of the hospital and who continues to do so with no lessening of his zeal; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize the contributions of remarkable institutions such as Lawrence County Hospital with its rich and ongoing legacy of service to its patients, its community and to our state:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby congratulate Lawrence County Hospital and its staff, both past and present, on the fiftieth anniversary of its inception and extend best wishes for the continuation of its rich and valuable service to the Lawrence County community and to the State of Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Board of Directors of Lawrence County Hospital and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.