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MCHENR Y HOSPITAL ONE OF LARGEST The 132-bed McHenry Hospital stands as a tribute to the vision of a small group of men and women who realize the serious need of this type of facilities for more than 20 years. Among the architects--the founders--is Dr. Lee Gladstone. From his practice that originated in McHenry in 1946, the McHenry Medical Group evolved to provide McHenry with active specialists in the fields of obstetrics, pediatrics, and the medical and surgical fields. In 1946 the McHenry Hospital Corp. was formed with Henry B. Tonyan as president. Citizens of the community contributed most of the $500,000 used to construct the McHenry Medical Group building with a 23-bed area for a hospital. Doors opened to patients on September 4, 1956. Surgical and emergency facilities and x-ray and laboratory facilities of the Medical Group were used on a fee basis. Expansion became the order of the day almost at once and Mayor George P. Freund was chosen to spearhead a drive to raise funds for an 18-bed addition. This included 8 beds for maternity cases, a nursery with 14 bassinets, 2 labor rooms, a delivery room, kitchen facilities, administrative offices, and a waiting room. With the help of a responsive community, an active woman's auxiliary, a board of directors led by the late James M. Lennon, and the medical staff and personnel of the hospital, doors to the new addition opened on May 1, 1961. Because of its close proximity to the Fox River and other resort areas during the summer months and to the ski slopes in the winter months, McHenry Hospital soon established itself as one of the finest emergency centers in Northern Illinois. Dr. Urban V. Comes, a resident of McHenry and past-president of Belmont Community Hospital in Chicago, was so impressed with the skilled staff, fine facilities, and especially the clinical and pathological laboratories at McHenry, that he began referring publicall. v to the McHenry Hospital as the "Mayo in miniature". McHenry Hospital is staffed almost completely by board-certified specialists. What the staff lacked in size, it made up fof in "know-how and can-do." By mid-1963 another new addition seemed imperative. The board, headed by George P. Freund,. following the death of Lennon, decidedtodiscussexpansionfor a longer period of time. Ground-breaking for a three-story building took place in September, 1964. The new concept of the addition has proven worthy of the vision shown by those responsible for the project. The 132-bed hospital has three main zones or units: 1. Intensive care unit for patients seriously ill. 2. Intermediate care unit for patients who are not dangerously ill, but require some special care and attention. 3. Ambulatory care unit for patients who need tests or are recovering from an illness. These patients can do much for themselves, are up-and-around and are "on their way" home. Included in the new addition is a magnificant suraf Ribbon-cutting ceremonies one year agothis month marked the opening of the 132-bed McHenry Hospital. Mayor Don Doherty, holding scissors, snipped the ribbon! gical suite consisting of three operating rooms, an emergency room, and a special ambulance entrance. New administrative offices are included in the addition. The Ambulatory care unit was dedicated to the memory of the late Bernard Bollman in August, 1965. Open house for the new three-story addition was held in May, 1966. First patients were moved into the hospital on June 1, 1966, and for the first time all patients were in the same building. Occupation of the new addition has taken place gradually and the pediatrics department was opened late last year. With the advent of medicare, the third floor was opened for geriatric patients. Looking ahead, McHenry Hospital is eyeing an Extended Care Unit in the future. With a high percentage of senior citizens entering the hospital under medicare, special programs of health care, recreation and rehabilitation are being considered. Educational courses of public interest will also be sponsored by the Hospital. Plans for a blood bank were announced early this month. A department of nuclear medicine has also been discussed. In a little less than 10 years, what started as a 23- bed hospital, housed in a rented space, has skyrocketed to a 132-bed hospital. This hospital is in its own buildings and property with an estimated value of several million dollars. This is a community investment, with the citizens of the community fully supporting their hospital. This 132-bed new McHenry Hospital serves a large area in eastern McHenry county, Lake county and north- ern county. Anthony Corcoran is administrator. Civil Defense Organization Well Prepared The city of McHenry created a Civil Defense Division in 1951 in accordance with the state law. In 1961 Mayor Donald P. Doherty, knowing the importance of a strong Civil Defense appointed John J. Shay director. A complete revised plan was filed with the state office in September 1961. Mr. Shay has continued to serve the city these past years. He stated that many people have the wrong idea about Civil Defense. Civil Defense is not a separate organization, but is the constituted government aided by auxiliaries functioning in emergencies caused by enemy actions or natural disasters. The director is the coordinator of these agencies and assumes special powers in an emergency. People have been slow to accept Civil Defense when presented to them for enemv attacks. However, with the rash of tornadoes that have become frequent in this area more inquiries are coming from the public. There are more individuals who have volunteered their services. The rifle squad of the McHenry American Legion post have signed up to act as auxiliary police. These men have had training in first aid, police duties, traffic control etc. They will augment other police in the event of a disaster. All of the schools in the McHenry area have prepared their students by conducting tornado drills. Mr. Shay stated he was very pleased with the cooperation he received from the teachers and the students. They all showed great interest. The fire department located in McHenry is the McHenry Township Fire Protection District. They ha'veagreed to allow the use of the siren they use to summon the volunteer firemen for fires, to be used in the event of a disaster. A three to five minute steady blast on the siren will alert the people to the fact that a tornado has been sighted either visibly or on radar and immediate shelter should be taken. It is always advisable that a portable transistor radio be taken to the shelter area with you and listen to the radio for the all clear. If anybody is interested in obtaining additional information Regarding the McHenry Civil Defense plan they are invited to contact Director, John J. Shay at 385-770(1 or write to McHenry Civil Defense, P.O. Box 114, McHenry, Illinois.