Story posted Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Lutheran General Hospital Marks 50 Years Of Care
By DENISE FLEISCHER Lifestyle Editor
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital recently dedicated a time capsule, with historic memorabilia, in celebration of its 50-year anniversary in Park Ridge. It was originally dedicated on Christmas Eve 1959.
Hospital associates, physicians, volunteers and supporters attended the recent ceremony. They stood at the building's cornerstone where the original time capsule was found during the construction of the hospital's new patient tower. The 1959 capsule is now displayed a few steps away from the hospital's cornerstone.
William P. Santulli, interim president of Lutheran General Hospital/Lutheran General Children's Hospital, informed said the first capsule held "a wealth of documents, clippings and photographs. It truly captured that moment in time."
Santulli explained that although the exterior of the hospital has evolved over the years, the foundation of its healing ministry continues. The Norwegian Lutheran Deaconesses, the founders of the hospital, believed in the human ecology philosophy of care, clinical excellence, medical education and research.
According to hospital records, the first baby born at Lutheran General was Mary Elizabeth Fife, daughter of Bill and Dolores, on Jan. 20, 1960. At birth she weighed 7 lbs. 6 oz. She was the fourth of six children, which includes Mike, Greg, Patty, Brian and Elise.
"I went to Terrace Elementary School, Palatine Hills Junior High School and Fremd High School," said Marybeth Bank, who is all grown up and a mother of two. She married John Bank 14 years ago.
She graduated with an Elementary teaching degree from Northern Illinois University and taught for 19 years in North Chicago and Gurnee.
"Reading is a passion of mine," said Mary Elizabeth. "I've spoken with a few mom's groups on the joys of reading with their preschoolers. But, right now, I'm mostly reading how-to parenting books."
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