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Show -Hospital Opens; Patient Transport Begins area residents. He also praised the care the hospital staff and employees give the patients; and he called the volunteers who serve at the hospital "ambassadors "am-bassadors of love," providing the extra touch to help patients regain health. Jones noted Mrs. Searle has been appointed to the IHC board and praised her for her efforts in helping obtain state approval for the hospital. "It was a struggle," he said. ; He noted benefits of IHC being nonprofit non-profit in helping keep costs down, and said IHC was able to provide funds at 7.75 percent interest for the construction con-struction - a much lower rate than is available otherwise. Dr. Murdock expressed appreciation ap-preciation to all who contributed to the completion of the hospital, and praised the cooperation of medical staff members with each other. Mayor Beck said the $12.2 million medical facility is dedicated to the people in north Utah County and makes it possible for them to obtain quality medical care here without traveling to Salt Lake or Provo for most specialized needs. Speakers pointed out that in 1977 there were 12 doctors serving this area -- by the end of next summer, there will be 35, including many specialists. Tribute was paid to former hospital board chairmen Dean Garratt, Glen T. Anderson, Wayne Winters and to chairwoman Luana Searle for their planning and foresight. Other board members who have served were also recognized. Lorraine Carlton, representing her mother, the late Irene Evans Rawlinson; Dr. Boyd J. Larsen, Dr. Guy A. Richards, and Dr. Talmadge Thomson cut the ribbon to open the facility.- - .--. .- Music 'Tor ' the program was provided by the Lehi High School band. William Grant Bangerter, a " member of the LDS Quorum of Seventies, gave the dedicatory prayer. The new American Fork Hospital will officially open its doors today, November 12, when the first patient is wheeled in at about 10 a.m. The first patient is being transported tran-sported to the new hospital from the old -- about nine blocks away - by helicopter, hospital officials said. Others will follow by ambulance. Hospital equipment and supplies made the trip earlier in the day. "At one point we actually have two hospitals in operation," said Mark J. Howard, hospital administrator. "We have equipment and personnel on hand at both hospitals to take care of any emergency that might come up." The new 72-bed facility was dedicated in ceremonies held November 5. About 6300 area residents took advantage of tours that followed the dedication and on Friday, Saturday and Monday to view the modern facility. Scott S. Parker, president of In-termountain In-termountain Health Care, parent organization of the hospital, called the dedication a "historical day for this fine city." Parker noted enlightened medicine has increased life expectancy to more than double the 30 years it was in George Washington's time. He said a person born at the time of Christ could expect to live 17 years -but in the near future, this will be 80 years. Other speakers at the dedication included Luana G. Searle, chairwoman chair-woman of the American Fork Hospital board of trustees, who conducted; Dr. C. Dale Murdock, president of the medical staff; Mayor Malcolm H. Beck, a member of the hospital board; William N. Jones, chairman of IHC board; and Mr. Howard. Howard said the hospital is constructed con-structed on 30 acres of ground and has plenty of room for projected expansion ex-pansion to serve the needs of a growing area. He praised the foresight of past hospital board members and staff, saying they should be commended for seeing to the needs of health care for 1- I ,1 . , 4.'"' i ' ' ' ' 'k - - -' :-: 1 v yy y 1 1 ! 1 1 ix y i lit M 'ft 'i -ru i Jn ' ' 4 u If i 1 1 W-: : iamatimammiir-MM'm-t -TWrmrmmm ' 'nifrSC.. ,. ,.-.,,. , . . r-..,,,-, , . NEW HOSPITAL boasts unusual architecture in main entry. |