News : The best of times for, and best of care at Virginia Gay

Mark Mossman, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Virginia Gay Hospital & Clinics opened his speech at the hospitals rededication and ribbon cutting ceremonies last week with a line from Charles Dickens’ book, “A Tale of Two Cities.” The opening line reads, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

Mr. Mossman related this line to the decision to expand and improve the facilities of Virginia Gay Hospital while considering the economic landscape. Spending $8.5 million dollar during a looming recession, the potential for health care reform and consideration of expensive technological advances must have been a difficult choice.

The next part of that opening line reads, “it was the time of wisdom.” The final analysis has to be that the careful and considerate assessment to move forward was the right decision for Vinton and the surrounding area. As a community, a hospital and most importantly, as patients, we are fortunate to have such a progressive Board; ready to make those tough appraisals and willing to commit even when the safe bet would be to stand still.

It should also be written that Virginia Gay Hospital is fortunate to have an equally dedicated Medical Staff, Administration and staff. For almost three years, the employees have worked tirelessly to improve your hospital. It is not easy to provide excellent care when you are working around walled barriers, the noise of construction and flooring that seemed to pop up for no apparent reason.

But through it all the patients were treated by professionals who maintained their poise in sometimes difficult medical situations, tackling tough issues and moving forward as a group while always keeping in mind the importance of the outcome. No matter the job or position, the staff was always ready to offer their work and provide care with compassion, empathy and the degree of medical expertise that the community has come to expect.

When visiting the newly remodeled and expanded Virginia Gay Hospital, don’t just observe the aesthetic qualities of the building – take time to look at the pride taken by the staff in a job well done. As a community, a hospital and as patients we are fortunate to have the level of perseverance for quality that is continuously displayed by the staff of Virginia Gay Hospital, especially during this construction period.

Without the efforts of many this project could never have been completed. Thank you to the Board of Directors, the many donors who contributed financially to the project, the staff of Virginia Gay Hospital, Clinics, Home Health and Nursing and Rehab, and everyone who gave who gave of their time and talents,

It is the best of times for Virginia Gay Hospital but it always has been the best of care that has been provided. Congratulations on a job well done!