 On The Line -- Issue 677 -- March 7, 2008  Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
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On The Line -- Issue 677 -- March 7, 2008 Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
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Time moves at its own pace. The arrival of a much-desired event seems to crawl but when it does come, the frustration at waiting for it disappears quickly. So it was on Thursday, March 6.
On a fine sunny day, about 75 people participated in or cheered the groundbreaking ceremony for an expanded emergency department at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital. It had been made possible by the passage of Measure L in May of 2005. The state had taken more than a year to review it before it gave its approval. When it was put out to bid a Salinas company submitted the lowest one. As it happened, the ceremony was held nearly 106 years to the day since 12-year-old Hazel Hawkins died of a burst appendix. Jeer grieving grandfather, Thomas Hawkins, was the most influential man in Hollister but was unable to save the girl who he called "Little Sunshine." Then inspiration struck him: If there had been a hospital in town, her life might have been saved. Very well, he would build one so no other life would be lost needlessly. . He spared no expense in seeing that one was constructed and furnished with the best equipment money could buy and staffed with highly professional doctors and nurses. It was dedicated in her memory in November 1907. It was moved from its original site on Monterey Street to Sunset Avenue in the post-World War II era. Since then, constant improvements have been made on it through the dedication of its staff, volunteers and the public. Elation and a sense of accomplishment were evident at the groundbreaking ceremony. Many people had worked on the Measure L Committee and they shook hands with many others that had worked by their side. Although he steps aside whenever the limelight turns on him, it is another feather in the cap of Ken Underwood, the hospital?s administrator for the past eight years. The surgical center added several years ago also keeps Hazel Hawkins competitive with other community hospitals along the Central Coast and far ahead of many others. Also on hand to greet the guests was Frankie Arballo of the hospital staff, who knew most of them by name and who has worked with many on improvements for the community as president of the county Chamber of Commerce, not once but twice. She distributed miniature spades as a souvenir of the day. Among special guests for the occasion were Assemblywoman Anna Caballero, county Supervisor Jaime De La Cruz, Hollister Mayor Doug Emerson and a former mayor, Brad Pike. A few professional men who will certainly become very familiar with the facility when it opens were there as well: Doctors Martin Bress, the senior physician in the county, Peter Coelho, Ralph Armstrong and Aslam Barra. Of course, Beth Ivey and Gordon Machado, hospital board members, were present as were Gerald and Mary McCullough, she a long-time hospital activist, and he a supporter. They were accompanied by their close friends, Ed and Michele Stephenson, the only local couple to have been named Woman of the Year (last year) and Man of the Year (this year). Mary Ann Hughes, who had chaired the Measure L Committee, was elated, as were Mary Damm and Fernando Gonzalez, who had worked with her. Steve Sanders and daughter Ashley Sanders made the rounds of celebrants. Peggy Pierce, Hospital Foundation president and supporter of many community-oriented causes, was there with husband Ray Pierce. They celebrated with others, including Dave Baumgartner and the vivacious Dee Hone who lends animation to any event she attends. Ruth Humber, another community activist who is the current president of Hollister Rotary, enjoys socializing when her schedule permits, was happy to see many of friends there for the occasion. It was the Rotary Club that financed the hospital's heli-pad when it was installed years ago. No one can calculate how many lives have been saved among the patients flown to other hospitals for treatment of burns or other injuries but it must be substantial. The new heli-pad will be situated atop the emergency department for even greater efficiency, Underwood said. Guests enjoyed the hors d'oeuvres, especially the skewered chicken and pastry puffs. All in all, it was a memorable event. Years from now they will still have a quiet pride in having been instrumental in providing such a facility. To most residents who have lived in San Benito County for any length of time, Hazel Hawkins has been an invaluable facility. Many have been a patient there at least once or have family members and friends who have been treated there. Our county continues to grow and so its medical preparedness must grow with it. The instruments and technology of the original Hazel Hawkins Hospital have long since given way to better ones. But one thing remains the same and it is hoped that it will be still be constant a century from now: the rapid and compassionate response to illness or injury by a team of well-trained staff members. There as been little rain to speak of in the county over the past week but March is still young. As we edge closer to spring, now just two weeks away, it is hoped that more will fall. The advent of Daylight Savings Time this weekend will result in many missed appointments and tardiness. Some clergymen have grown accustomed to parishioners coming in to services exactly one hour late. Monsignor Thomas Morgan, pastor emeritus of Immaculate Conception Church in Tres Pinos, said with a twinkle about them years ago, "Well, perhaps they will make it up by arriving an hour early when the time is adjusted in the fall." The general election is a subject of hot contention locally. No matter who anyone is backing, all acknowledge that the results will be historic, with a woman and an Afro-American battling to be their party's nominee, while the nominee-presumptive of the rival party would be the oldest elected president if he is successful. One note on the race: Every Republican, Democrat, Independent or what have you salutes the candidacy of Representative Ron Paul of Texas. Although the odds against him proved to be insurmountable he remained to the very end a stalwart defender of the Constitution and all it stands for. |
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