Edgecombe County NcArchives Photo Place.....Rocky Mount's New Sanitarium 1980
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Grace W. Turner n/a January 6, 2009, 7:49 pm

Source:             Rocky Mount Telegram
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http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/edgecombe/photos/rockymou306ph.jpg
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Rocky Mount's New Sanitarium

Rocky Mount Telegram, Monday, June 2, 1980
By Miki Garrison

Big Crowd Attends Formal Opening of New Sanitarium

A throng of approximately 9,000-10,000 people turned out yesterday to tour the 
new Rocky Mount Sanitarium hospital, far exceeding hospital officials' hopes.

Helping steer crowds through the new facility was Birmingham resident Meg 
Carter. Carter, as director of public relations for Brookwood Health Services, 
Inc., has overseen many grand openings for the corporation which owns or 
manages 17 hospitals besides the Sanitarium.

"I've never witnessed anything like this in my life," an excited Carter said 
this morning, "I've never seen such a batch of excited people like this in my 
life. There was hugging and kissing, just a warm feeling in their hearts of 
what the building represents."

Three buses shuttled visitors to the facility from makeshift parking along 
roadways within a half mile radius of the hospital. Meanwhile, kitchen 
employees were frantically trying to augment prepared refreshments by baking 
more cookies in the hospital's kitchen and "making punch out of water," Carter 
said.

"The turnout is very definitely attributed to the Kornegays (Dr. Bob and Dr. 
Lem whose father founded the hospital in 1913) and the employees, every one 
who made the Sanitarium what is was," she said. "Ultimately they set the pace 
and the standards by which the hospital lives."

"After yesterday's display of community support I don't see where there will 
be any problem filling our 50 beds," Sanitarium Administrator Bob Phillips 
said this morning.

Yesterday's grand opening culminated a three-year struggle to move the 
hospital from its ailing 66-year-old facility on Church Street.

In June 1977, the Sanitarium filed notice of intent to build the new hospital, 
but for more than a year, the Kornegays and then Administrator _andy Hammond 
had to battle state and federal agencies for the Certificate of Need which was 
required for full Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement.

The doctors and Hammond were accompanied by community supporters to several of 
the necessary hearings. On July 28, 1977, more than 200 supporters traveled to 
a Greenville hearing before the Eastern Carolina Health Services Agency. A 
week later 450 supporters packed the Region L auditorium and spoke for three 
hours on behalf of the Sanitarium's request.

In July 1978, federal approval became definite. Hospital officials broke 
ground for the new facility June 10 of last year.

Phillips said all patients will be moved to the new hospital Saturday, leaving 
the old structure to house only hospital records.

Information under picture: Formal Opening - A large crowd was on hand Sunday 
for the opening of the new Rocky Mount Sanitarium. It is located on Noell Lane 
near Benvenue. A crowd estimated at about 10,000 attended the opening 
ceremonies. (Photo by Killebrew)


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