Honor St. Elizabeth Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 203 BY: Senator GRIFFO COMMEMORATING the 150th Anniversary of the St. Elizabeth Medical Center on November 30, 2016 WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those institutions which have faithfully served the health needs of the community and its citizens with diligence and compassionate commitment; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the St. Elizabeth Medical Center to be celebrated at its 16th Annual Lights of Love Campaign on Wednesday,

November 30, 2016, at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Utica, New York; and WHEREAS, St. Elizabeth Medical Center (SEMC) was founded as St. Elizabeth Hospital by the dedicated women of the Sisters of St. Francis on December 12, 1866; the Sisters selflessly gave their entire lives to keep the hospital operating, providing needed care for those in Utica and the surrounding areas regardless of their ability to pay; and WHEREAS, St. Elizabeth Medical Center has a rich history, with origins dating back to a small house on Columbia Street in West Utica, given to the Sisters of St. Francis by the Franciscan Fathers; and WHEREAS, Over the decades, the hospital established St. Elizabeth School of Nursing, built the present hospital in 1917, opened a School of Radiography, a Family Medicine Residency Program, and a Trauma Service; and WHEREAS, In 1964, SEMC was the first area hospital to build a Psychiatric Unit with 20 beds; in 1996, the School of Nursing became the College of Nursing and the hospital changed its name to St. Elizabeth Medical Center; and WHEREAS, Also during the 1990s, St. Elizabeth and Faxton St. Luke's Healthcare (FSLH) collaborated to bring cardiac services to this area, with help from the community; furthermore, the hospitals continued working together in the Diabetes Education Program and Regional Cancer Center, and in 2014, announced their affiliation as the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS); and WHEREAS, SEMC was inducted into the Mohawk Valley's Healthcare Hall of Distinction-Class of 2016 on May 18, honored for its impact on the region during its 150 years of operation; and WHEREAS, Entering its 150th year, the St. Elizabeth Medical Center of Utica, New York remains true in purpose and strong in spirit, taking just pride in its excellent facilities, dedicated staff and laudable history of quality health care; and WHEREAS, Venerable and trustworthy institutions, tending to the needs of the community and its citizenry, represent the threads from which the fabric of society is woven, and so now is this Legislative Body moved to recognize the beneficent good works of St. Elizabeth Medical Center, sharing the pride of its history and accomplishments, and anticipating its future of continued growth in quality and personalized care; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to extend congratulations and just tribute to St. Elizabeth Medical Center, commemorating its 150th Anniversary of service and care on behalf of the Utica community; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to St. Elizabeth Medical Center.