“Tear it down. Tear it down,” shouted the crowd as the lucky winner, Diana Hall, climbed into the “cockpit” of the bulldozer to be the first to knock down a piece of what Americus has known as Sumter Regional Hospital for the past almost 55 years.
Although the program for the demolition of Sumter Regional started a little early on Wednesday, Sumter Countians poured out in numbers to witness a new beginning for Sumter Regional. Americus Mayor Barry Blount, Sen. George Hooks and Rep. Mike Cheokas, both D-Americus, were among the many guests. They, like others in the community, joined with Sumter Regional in a celebratory event that marked the final good-bye to a “grand ol’ lady.”
The program began with a performance by the Americus-Sumter County High School Singers, who shared their talented voices by gracing the audience with some Christmas favorites with an added twist of dancing. After the final number, David Seagraves, CEO/president of Sumter Regional, greeted the crowd with a warm welcome as he introduced the Rev. Jim McIlrath, who led the crowd in a silent reflection, followed by a moment of prayer. After his prayer, McIlrath offered a few words that described Sumter Regional as a hospital known for its commitment to health and wellness.
“This is a place of hallowed ground ... Sumter Regional’s indestructibility is God’s work. The chapel ... was not touched. The stained glass window was not broken. That shows God’s hand is within this facility. Sumter Regional is dedicated to healthiness, healing and wholeness and we are not saying good-bye to that,” he said.
Susie Fussell, Sumter Regional’s vice president of nursing, encouraged all those in attendance to continue to pass the remembrance of Sumter Regional on to other generations.
“This is a celebratory event of remembrance, honor and gratitude,” said Fussell.
According to Fussell, Sumter Regional for many had become a family member or a friend — describing those who had formed an emotional attachment or bond to the hospital. She said in her conversations with many people, they compared the destruction of Sumter Regional like losing a part of their life.
“When speaking with others, the first thing they say is, ‘I feel like I lost a part of my life.’ But as soon as we get past that emotional hump, we share stories of remembrance of this ‘grand ol’ lady,” she said.
“People have described this as an unbelievable moment, but I look at it as a tribute to all those who put a hand, physically and intellectually, into the foundation of Sumter Regional. If Sumter Regional could tell her story today, she would probably tell one of new beginnings ... filled with humility and at times comforting those in their last days but always being a healer of the sick,” continued Fussell.
Seagraves continued the program giving updates about the status of the hospital’s future and thanking those who had contributed to the funding of the new Sumter Regional Hospital that is expected to be finished in 2010.
“This was a worse-case scenario, but there is still a chance for hope, opportunity and renewal as we begin the process of building a state of the art facility,” said Seagraves.
According to Seagraves, these past nine and a half months have moved at a frustrating pace, but “Sumter Regional was coming out on top through a great deal of hard and creative work.” That work was seen in finding the funds and support to rebuild a bigger and better Sumter Regional.
“We have settled our insurance claim, received additional funds from FEMA and GEMA and galvanized the support of our community and politicians,” said Seagraves.
One politician at the forefront of seeing Sumter Regional renewed is Congressman Sanford Bishop, D- Ga. Although he could not be in attendance for the event, he sent a representative, Kenneth Cutts, who said he was personally touched by the attitude that Sumter Regional had: never giving up.
“Tragedies like this are unfortunate circumstances. And when they do arise, it is important for those who can, to find a conclusion to make sure needs are met. Rep. Bishop is doing his best with backing Sumter Regional in all its efforts,” said Cutts, adding that Bishop’s team would be with Sumter Regional every step of the way.
Since the recovery efforts began after the tornado, $1.5 million had been raised. This was made possible through fundraisers.
“All fundraisers were done on a small scale to support many projects, like that such as for the interim hospital,” Seagraves said.
Sumter Regional East is in its final stages of completion with an expected open date in mid-February. And according to Seagraves, the ground breaking for the new hospital, being built in the same location as the old, will be mid-2008.
“Support has been poured out to us locally: receiving $3 million from the SPLOST funds, federally: assistance from FEMA and GEMA and on other levels: through several grants for which we are still applying that will help support our effort. It’s been a journey but we are one step closer ... it starts with tearing down the old building first,” said Seagraves.
The lucky winner from the drawing to be the first to knock down a piece of Sumter Regional was Leon Holloway, but he was not in attendance. The second attempt was Levi Tuggle, who also was not in attendance. And the third time is always a charm as Diana Hall’s name was pulled and she was given the opportunity to tear down the walls of Sumter Regional.
The crowd cheered her on, as the “grand ol’ lady” said her final good-byes.
Demolition of the old Sumter Regional facility will continue for several weeks.
