arkridge East Hospital celebrated its 35th anniversary of providing care to the community with a special event and reception held on Thursday. During the event, Parkridge East CEO Brian Cook recognized physicians and staff with more than 30 years of service, as well as community supporters who helped make the hospital a reality.
Several community leaders were on hand to discuss Parkridge East’s contribution to the people of East Ridge and the surrounding areas. Dr. William Rowe, one of the hospital’s ‘founding fathers,’ recalled the beginnings of the facility and the contributions of East Ridge’s former City Manager Gene Drakeford and the late Dr.
Thomas Royal in realizing the vision of a community hospital in East Ridge. Commissioner Curtis Adams, County Mayor Claude Ramsey, and State Senator Bo Watson recognized the value of Parkridge East Hospital not only as a place of healing, but as one of East Ridge’s largest employers and as “an excellent corporate citizen” that pays out over a quarter million dollars in taxes to the city of East Ridge and Hamilton County each year.
Several of Parkridge East Hospital’s previous chief executive officers also attended the 35th anniversary celebration, including Mark Sims, Jerri Underwood and Brenda Waltz. Mr. Sims served as CEO of the hospital from 2005 until July of this year and is now CEO of Stonecrest Medical Center, an HCA facility outside of Nashville. Ms. Underwood served as Parkridge East CEO from 2001 – 2005 and is now chief nursing executive for all three Parkridge hospitals in Chattanooga. Ms. Waltz served as CEO of Parkridge East from 1996 – 2001 and is now CEO of Redmond Regional Medical Center, an HCA facility in Rome, Ga.
Physicians recognized for their years of service on the Parkridge East medical staff included Dr. William Rowe, Dr. Richard Bowers, Dr. Ronald Molloy, Dr. Ronald Brooksbank, Dr. William Findley, Dr. Edwin Shuck, Dr. C.Y. Liu, Dr. John Shull, Dr. Susan McLean, Dr. Minnie Vance, and Dr. Gary Meredith.
Staff recognized for their years of service to Parkridge East included Peggy Clark, Carolyn Maxwell, Paula Coontz, Toni McCullough, Carrie Davidson, Cindy Price, Gary Evans, Joanna Ratchford, Judy Harris, Jessie Smiley and Veronica Head.
Other activities celebrating the hospital’s milestone included a time capsule burial and a tree dedication in honor of the late Mr. Gene Drakeford.
“It has been an honor to celebrate 35 years of caring for the health care needs of Chattanooga and the surrounding communities,” said CEO of Parkridge East Brian Cook. “We will continue to strive for excellence in providing high quality, compassionate care to patients and their families.”