Heavy Rains Force Exercises Indoors
(Eugene McLean Photo)
With the dedication ceremonies for the new West wing of the Norwood Hospital transferred to the Norwood junior high school yesterday afternoon due to the torrential rains from the fringe of the tropical storm Alma deluging the area, a crowd of over 500 persons heard Governor John A. Volpe deliver the dedication address and saw him cut the ribbon at the official opening of the new wing.
Governor Volpe was introduced to the gathering by Fred A. Carlson, president of the Norwood Hospital who made opening remarks while awaiting the Governor’s arrival.
The crack 567th Air Force Band of the Massachusetts National Guard, led by Conductor, Capt. Robert H. Clark, entertained with martial music and also played the National Anthem to open the ceremonies.
The Invocation was delivered by Rev. George P. Gallivan of St. Catherine’s Church who took the place of Bishop Minihan who was unable to attend. Benediction was offered by the Rev. Raymond Kask, Minister of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church.
The crowd was very large considering the inclement weather. Invitations had been sent out to over 2000 friends of the Norwood Hospital.
The formal opening of the new wing will add another 100 beds to the capacity of the Norwood Hospital, and Governor Volpe, during his dedication remarks stated that it was the foresight of the hospital officials in applying for a Federal grant of $350,000 which was instrumental in having the new $2 1/2 million addition started.
Following the dedication ceremonies at the Norwood Junior High School, the entire group gathered in the lobby of the new wing where Governor Volpe with Administrator Charles A. Richardson and President Fred Carlson at his side, cut the ribbon.
Conducted tours of the hospital were then made with hospital officials, nurses, and pink ladies taking groups throughout the various rooms and department of the new West wing.
Following is a complete transcript of the Governor’s address:
“As Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I feel proud and privileged to have the opportunity to be here today at the dedication of this beautiful new… hospital wing.
“As Governor, I am elated to see a dream of the members of the Norwood Hospital Corporation turn into a reality—a reality that is designed to provide 100 new, beds and the latest and most up-to-date medical equipment for the residents of Norwood and the surrounding communities.
“I think I also have reason to be proud of the John A. Volpe Construction Company and its president, Frank Marcucella, for although since I have been governor I am not in any way connected with the company, it bears my name and the company’s accomplishments still give me a feeling of pride and satisfaction.
“I would also like to compliment the James H. Ritchie and Associates firm, who did such a wonderful architectural job.
“As we stand here today in this beautiful building, I think the residents of Norwood and the many surrounding communities are indeed fortunate in having available for any medical services they need perhaps the most efficient and up-to-date hospital In our entire Commonwealth.
“The need for this hospital and the new wing and facilities contained in it perhaps may best be demonstrated by pointing out that last year, Norwood Hospital had almost 9,000 admissions and in addition, treated almost 18,000 out-patients.
“To break down these figures to more realistic terms, it means that on the average there are 25 new patients admitted daily to Norwood Hospital, and at the same time there are approximately 50 other patients seeking out-patient care.
“I can only say that the entire hospital staff has done a magnificent job, and is entitled to the fervent thanks of all of the citizens in this area.
“There is one point I would like to bring out in connection with the cost of constructing this new wing.
“Admittedly, such an undertaking is an expensive one, as is demonstrated by the fact that the hospital floated 1.5 million dollars in serial bonds—and this was not the entire cost.
But the officials of the hospital did what I have been advocating since I became governor on January 6, 1961, and that is, they took advantage of every bit of federal aid they could under the terms of the Hill-Burton federal grant.
“As a result of the foresight of your hospital officials, the Norwood Hospital has received—or will receive within the near future—a total of $350,000 in federal money to assist in defraying the cost of the new wing.
“Under the terms of this federal act, Massachusetts is provided with three to four million dollars a year for hospital construction. The allocation of the money is handled by the hospital facilities dlvislon of our State Public Health Department.
(Eugene McLean Photo)
“The need for this new wing was apparent to our state officials, and thus Norwood Hospital was allocated the sum of $350,000.
“This use of federal money is what I have been advocating and why I am very conscious of the fact that we must have a close liaison with the federal government if our state is to take full advantage of all offers of federal help.
“There are many fields in addition to this, particular one in which the federal government offers financial help to the states, and to put it bluntly, I think we would be fools if we failed, through ignorance or oversight, to take advantage of this money for the Commonwealth.
“Norwood Hospital has benefitted immeasurably as a result of the Hill-Burton federal grant, and the benefits will also accrue to the thousands of residents of surrounding communities who will be patients in this new wing in the coming year.
In closing, I would like to once again compliment the entire hospital staff and all those generous individuals who gave so freely of their time and money to make this new wing a reality.
Thank you.”
Feature Latest Equipment At New Norwood Hospital
Modern facilities and the latest in equipment keynote the new Norwood Hospital.
Now completed is a 100—bed wing which brings to 257 the total number of beds in the hospital.
The expansion actually encompasses three buildings. The new T-shaped building has three stories above a basement and is joined floor by floor to the present South wing. A single-story building alongside contains the lobby, a gift shop, coffee shop and administrative offices. The third facility added as part of the expansion program has been a building housing a series of maintenance shops and central stores area.
The new and existing buildings combine to give residents of Norwood and the eight surrounding communities the most modern and efficient facilities available.
Among the many features of the hospital are a substantially enlarged X-ray department, modern recovery room with, unique electronic monitoring system, enlarged pediatrics section, comprehensive communications network, extensive operating suite, new semiself-help convalescent unit, combination heating-air conditioning system, an entire series of modern laboratories, and new out-patient, emergency and maternity facilities.
(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)