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By Jessica Dennis
 Gazette Staff Writer
“What a beautiful day in a beautiful city.”

Those words spoken by Michael Winthrop, CEO/President of The Bellevue Hospital, set the mood for the public ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new $36 million facility Sunday afternoon.
 

 Over 4,000 people came to the historic ceremony and open house for the new facility, located on the northwest corner of York Twp. Rd. 302 and  W. Main St., held just a few days shy of the hospital’s 88th birthday.

The Bellevue Senior High School Band played The Star Spangled Banner as Winthrop welcomed the crowd. Winthrop said it was 611 days prior to Sunday, the hospital held their ground-breaking ceremony.
 

 “Six hundred and eleven days ago I stood at this very spot during the  ground breaking ceremony,” he said. “It seems time has gone by so  quickly, but in a way it took us so long to get here. I’m glad we’re finally to this point.”
 

After Marvin Rettig, Vice President of development, offered a prayer, Don Behm presented Winthrop with an American Flag on behalf of the  members of the Bellevue VFW and American Legion.

Although there was a chill in the wind, the sun was shining bright as several guest speakers took center stage to share their thoughts on the new  building.
 

“This new building stands as an economic anchor of this community,”  said Mayor David Kile. “The City of Bellevue is indeed fortunate to  have The Bellevue Hospital’s leadership, staff and the community  support to bring this project to such a grand conclusion. After all,  it is the people who make a facility great.”
 

 The new structure offers an additional 41,000 square feet and is laid out more patient-friendly, providing for more patient privacy and  comfort. All rooms are private, there is better lighting and improved  parking, and there is a separate entrance for emergency room patients  transferred by ambulance.

The concept of building a new building came several years ago, when it became apparent the old facility on Northwest Street could no longer  adequately address the needs for the next century of health care.

It  was then, the hospital and its board of trustees began an in-depth,  two-year study to determine how to serve the needs of the growing  communities.

“It was in 1999, when a board member posed the question, ‘What is the  future of the hospital?’” said Nina Pascua, Mayor of Clyde.

“That was  an explosive question! They knew the existence of a hospital to serve  the people was important. It was eminent that a decision of the future  of the hospital could not wait.”

 “...The rest is history,” continued Pascua. “There was no stopping the  Planning Committee. They did feasibility studies, formulated an  equation to fund the building, obtained moral and financial support  from Fisher-Titus Hospital and Firelands Hospital and solicited the  aid of the Capital Foundation to raise $2.4 million from the Friends  of The Bellevue Hospital.

You have completed an insurmountable task.
 

You have given the City of Bellevue, the City of Clyde and the people  from the surrounding communities a hospital with state-of-the-art  medical technology. Mr. Winthrop, this be your field of dreams.”
 

 Other elected officials who attended the event included Mike Adelman,  Huron County Commissioner, State Representatives Jeff Wagner
> (R-Tiffin) and Kathleen Walcher (R-Norwalk), and State Senator Jeffry  Armbruster (R-North Olmsted).

 Thomas Barth, Chairman of The Bellevue Hospital Board of Trustees,  admitted over the past five years, one of his favorite things has been  to address the annual hospital employee service award banquet.

His new  favorite now?

Attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new  Bellevue Hospital.
 

 “I cannot properly put into words the admiration and respect I have  for all of you here today that have put so much effort into making  this new facility a reality,” Barth said. “You have all heard the  story of how and why we are here today and most of you know of the  great help we have received from our partners...but what you may not  know is how much the president, executive staff and department  managers really care about this hospital.

Running this hospital is not  just a job to them, it is like a mission in their lives that they pour  their heart and soul into.’’
 

 Although the new hospital offers more room and efficiency, there’s one  thing that won’t change - the quality care patients receive from its  staff members.
 

“There is another group of highly dedicated individuals that also care a great deal about this hospital and they are all the outstanding physicians we have on staff,” said Barth. “Many of whom have joined us in the last 10 years, several whom are just joining us now and some that have been with us for over 40 years.

It is these physicians that have really helped to put in place the many services and procedures  that have helped to make us the hospital we are today.”

Barth went on to thank the Board of Directors, who include Dwight  Hogue, Gordon Gibbs, Janet Scagnetti, Dr. Rob Coll, Dr. Larry  Vonkuster, Dr. Roger Garcia, Jeanie Miller, Dr. Mark Pifer, Jim
 Shelley, Joe Wilson, Ray Bounds, Nancy Greenslade, Dr. Charles Valone,  Beverly DeBlase, Mike Winthrop, Pat Martin, Paul Douglas, John Bacon  and Bill Springer.
 

 The new Bellevue Hospital is scheduled to formally open its doors
 March 13.

 Prior to Sunday’s open house, over 2,000 people had toured the new  facility in separate events.
 

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The Bellevue Hospital, 1400 W. Main Street - P O Box 8004, Bellevue, Ohio  44811-8004    419-483-4040
Last modified: 09/12/05