Oct 1, 2002 3 min read

MOUNT PLEASANT – Originally founded and incorporated in 1902, Frick Hospital recently hosted a special inaugural flag-raising ceremony, marking the beginning of a yearlong commemoration of the hospital’s centennial. “Celebrating A Century of Care” is the theme for the hospital’s centennial celebration. Highlights of the program included the unveiling of the hospital’s centennial flag and introduction of the hospital’s honor guard.

Individuals representing the hospital family included Dale Walker, chairman of Frick Hospital’s Board of Trustees; Anthony J. Nicolette, Jr., M.D., medical staff representative; Jennifer Barrick, employee representative and 2002 Cameos of Caring award winner; Margaret Farrell, auxiliary representative; and Rev. Audrey Bell, volunteer representative.

The Mount Pleasant Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3368 and the Mount Pleasant American Legion Post 446 conducted the flag-raising ceremony and gun salute. The Mount Pleasant Area High School Marching Band, under the direction of Fred Collins, music director, played the “National Anthem” and various musical selections.

Verna Uber, centennial chairperson served as mistress of ceremonies. An inspirational message was provided by the Rev. Audrey Bell, hospital chaplain. Remarks were made by Joseph J. Peluso, president and chief executive officer of Westmoreland Health System/Frick Hospital; Dale Walker, chairman of Frick Hospital’s Board of Trustees; and David Gallatin, chairman of Westmoreland Health System’s Board of Trustees.

“We have an outstanding group of community individuals, who have committed their time and efforts to be a part of this celebration,” said Joseph J. Peluso, Westmoreland Health System chief executive officer (CEO) and president. “They have worked hard to plan a year’s worth of interesting activities and events within the community that are focused on celebrating this historical milestone.”

Additional recognition was extended to members of the centennial planning committee. Serving as honorary chairpersons for the centennial are Jack O’Laughlin, William Levison, M.D., and Martha Frick Symington Sanger, great-granddaughter of Henry Clay Frick.

Centennial chairperson, Verna Uber, and cochairman, Albert Saloom, M.D, lead the steering committee. Heading up the working committees are Robert Wingert, commemorative chairman; Rodney Sturtz, historical chairman; Dale Walker, Public relations/marketing chairman; and Carol Williams and Paula Walker, co-chairs of the social committee.

“Frick Hospital belongs to the community, and it is we who have inherited the responsibility to preserve it for the service of generations to follow,” Peluso said. “Over the past 100 years, the names and faces have changed at Frick Hospital, but the commitment and work ethics have not.”

Peluso said what makes Frick Hospital distinctive among healthcare providers is that for the past century the standards of healthcare excellence set by the earliest board members, doctors, auxiliary members, volunteers and employees have endured.

These same high standards will continue to guide the hospital in its journey through the next 100 years, Peluso said.

“As we celebrate this century of care, we rededicate ourselves to the journey that began so long ago. And we look forward to exploring new paths on the journey towards excellence,” he said.