CIBOLA GENERAL Celebrates 50 years
August 10, 2009 — Since its founding 50 years ago, Cibola General Hospital Center has delivered top quality healthcare to citizens throughout Cibola County, allowing it to live up to the vision that the founding community members had when they established it 50 years ago.
History of Cibola General Hospital
With the mining boom in the fifties, the population in Grants exploded - going from 2,000 to 10,000 residents in just five years. The town lacked the infrastructure to support the population growth, most notably lacking a hospital facility. The establishment of the hospital began in February of 1956 when an organization called the Western Valencia County Health and Welfare Coordinating Council formed under the leadership of Nollie Watts, who worked for the Atomic Energy Commission. Watts was transferred to Grand Junction shortly after, so Frank Holmberg took over as chairman of the council’s hospital committee which was committed to finding funding for a hospital and organizing community support.
The committee worked hard going through the necessary paperwork to obtain Hill-Burton Funds totaling $250,000 from the state. In 1957 the committee also held a state-wide public contest to name the hospital – “Cibola General Hospital” was chosen as the winning name (submitted by Marvel Prestridge, R.L. Prestridge, and L.J. Lloyd of Albuquerque). The hospital site committee had several offers of land to build the hospital on. The committee accepted a five-acre land donation from Mr. and Mrs. R.B. Candelaria of Albuquerque. A public fund drive was held to raise the $250,000 in local funds required to match the Hill-Burton funding. The goal was reached by late fall of 1957. In 1958 a hospital auxiliary was formed to organize volunteers. Anthony C. Cuty from Ohio County Hospital in Hartford, Kentucky was chosen as the first Hospital Administrator.
Final plans were finished in May of 1958 and construction began in July. The total cost for the hospital was $570,000 and construction took 11 months. The facility was officially opened on July 13, 1959. Eventually, a new updated facility was needed. On July 13, 2000 the current 50,000 square foot facility opened for business.
50th Anniversary Week Events
Cibola General Hospital will be holding a 50th Anniversary Celebration week – September 8 through September 12. Employee celebrations will be held September 8th and 9th. The community-wide celebrations will kick off on Thursday, September 10 with an Ice Cream Social from 5 to 7 pm at the hospital. Community members are welcome to attend and bring the family for free ice cream sundaes and tours of the facility.
On Friday, September 11, the hospital will be hosting a dinner event to celebrate the 2009 Hall of Fame Inductees and 50 years of serving the community. The event will be held at the Best Western Inn from 6 pm – 11 pm. The local band “Common Ground” will be playing. Tickets are $35 each or two for $50 and can be purchased by calling Marcie at (505) 287-6702.
On Saturday, September 12 the hospital will be hosting a Birthday Bash event from 11 am – 3 pm in the hospital parking lot. The event is free to the public all attendees will receive a free hot dog lunch provided courtesy of the hospital. There will be several fun activities for the whole family, including jumper castles, slides, obstacle course, and carnival games for children.
For questions about the 50th Anniversary Week activities, please call Marcie at (505) 287-6702. |