MMC Dedication Ceremony honors former physicians

Murphy Medical Center dedicated its recently completed Emergency Department expansion last Saturday, thanking supporters and honoring the work of Dr. Tom Hutson and Dr. Damien O’Neill, two previous ER physicians.  About 100 hospital supporters and dignitaries attended.

“Our goal is to improve service and care to the community. Strong community support has made this project possible,” Mike Stevenson, CEO, said while recognizing the community’s participation in the hospital’s annual “Two Hours from Anywhere” 5K race and two-mile heart walk.  The community contributed over $44,000 to that event which subsequently funded five new heart monitors for the Emergency Department.

Stevenson also recognized the support from grantors such as The Cannon Foundation, The Duke Endowment, Janirve Foundation, The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, and North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services.

The 2,419 square feet expansion added two large, two-bed trauma rooms, a private EMS entrance, a decontamination room, and new triage facility and in-department digital x-ray capabilities.

“It takes a team effort for a project like this to be completed,” Stevenson said, thanking the work and dedication of hospital administrator Toni Lovingood, the hospital’s plant operations team, Emergency Department Manager Gail Crawford, the Wells and West Construction team, and other vendors.  

Murphy Mayor Bill Hughes remarked on the significant increase in use of the ER over the past five years. “It is projected that this ER will treat 15,000 patients in 2008,” Hughes said. “Look at it this way, that’s all the folks in the town of Murphy, plus 700 more people. That’s a lot of patients!”

Prior to prayer offered by Reverend Fred Lunsford, the minister thanked the hospital’s ER staff for saving his life, allowing him to be there for the dedication. Reverend Lunsford also recognized the leadership of CEO Mike Stevenson. “He is a man willing to go out on a limb,” Lunsford said, adding, “Most men aren’t willing to climb the tree.”

Dr. Mark Walters, ER physician at Murphy Medical Center, spoke to Dr. Tom Hutson’s contributions as the hospital’s ER Director from 1985 until his retirement in 2003. “When I came here twenty years ago, it was clear to me that Murphy Medical Center was a place on the move; there was a lot of excitement and energy. At the core of this was Dr. Tom Hutson.” 

Directly addressing Hutson, Walters stated, “Your greatest legacy is what you’ve done for the EMS in this county. You started with ambulance drivers, took them and trained them yourself to be outstanding EMTs. When the budget was tight and we needed equipment, you just reached into your pocket and paid for it.  In my opinion, you left us with the best trained EMS system in the state of North Carolina.”

A standing ovation ensued in recognition of Hutson as the ER dedication signage on the exterior of the building was unveiled.

Walters spoke to the contributions of the late Dr. Damien O’Neill, a Murphy Medical Center ER physician who perished in an unrelated plane crash in April 2007.  “Damien was known as the ‘extreme’ doctor. In the practice of medicine he loved taking care of the sickest of the sick.  In Murphy Medical Center’s ER, if you’re in Room #1, you’re sick.  If we can, we’re going to get you through it, but you are sick. It is only natural to have Room #1 dedicated to Damien O’Neill. He inspired us to give the most,” Walters said.

Peter O’Neill, the late physician’s brother, said, “What struck our family the most in reading the condolence letters was how much his patients and the staff loved him. He made a difference.”  

A standing ovation for Dr. O’Neill occurred as a framed memorial was presented to his family. An identical memorial has been placed at the hospital’s ER Trauma Room #1.  

A reception and guided tours of the new facility followed the dedication ceremony.

Tori O'Neill, wife of the late Dr. Damien O'Neill, accepts a framed memorial in honor of her husbands work at Murphy Medical Center ED. Presenting the memorial is Mike Stevenson, MMC CEO and looking on is Dr. O'Neill's mother, Eileen Bourget.

As the crowd applauds Dr. Tom Hutson, standing, expresses his appreciation of the new ED expansion named in his honor. Dr. Hutson was the first ED physician at Murphy Medical Center.

Little Clara Morgan, granddaugher of the late Damien O'Neill MD, plays during the ceremony dedicating the Murphy Medical Center ED expansion to Tom Hutson, MD, and the new trauma rooms to her grandfather. Dignitaries and honorees included, from left to right, MMC Board Chairman, John Carringer; O'Neill family members Torie O'Neill, wife; Eileen Bourget, mother; Erin Morgan, daughter; Peter O'Neill, brother; and dedication honoree Tom Hutson MD.

Dr. Tom Hutson, center right, is honored by the late Dr. Damien O'Neill's family, left to right, granddaughter Clara, daughter Erin Morgan, brothers Peter O'Neill and Paul O’Neill.

CEO Mike Stevenson, left, and ER Physician Mark Walters unveil the memorial for the late Dr. Damien O'Neill during the ED Dedication Ceremonies last Saturday.