Senate Resolution No. 203

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMEMORATING the 150th Anniversary of the St.
Elizabeth Medical Center on November 30, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
institutions which have faithfully served the health needs of the
community and its citizens with diligence and compassionate commitment;
and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the St. Elizabeth Medical Center to
be celebrated at its 16th Annual Lights of Love Campaign on Wednesday,
November 30, 2016, at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Utica, New York; and

WHEREAS, St. Elizabeth Medical Center (SEMC) was founded as St.
Elizabeth Hospital by the dedicated women of the Sisters of St. Francis
on December 12, 1866; the Sisters selflessly gave their entire lives to
keep the hospital operating, providing needed care for those in Utica
and the surrounding areas regardless of their ability to pay; and

WHEREAS, St. Elizabeth Medical Center has a rich history, with
origins dating back to a small house on Columbia Street in West Utica,
given to the Sisters of St. Francis by the Franciscan Fathers; and

WHEREAS, Over the decades, the hospital established St. Elizabeth
School of Nursing, built the present hospital in 1917, opened a School
of Radiography, a Family Medicine Residency Program, and a Trauma
Service; and

WHEREAS, In 1964, SEMC was the first area hospital to build a
Psychiatric Unit with 20 beds; in 1996, the School of Nursing became the
College of Nursing and the hospital changed its name to St. Elizabeth
Medical Center; and

WHEREAS, Also during the 1990s, St. Elizabeth and Faxton St. Luke's
Healthcare (FSLH) collaborated to bring cardiac services to this area,
with help from the community; furthermore, the hospitals continued
working together in the Diabetes Education Program and Regional Cancer
Center, and in 2014, announced their affiliation as the Mohawk Valley
Health System (MVHS); and

WHEREAS, SEMC was inducted into the Mohawk Valley's Healthcare Hall
of Distinction-Class of 2016 on May 18, honored for its impact on the
region during its 150 years of operation; and

WHEREAS, Entering its 150th year, the St. Elizabeth Medical Center
of Utica, New York remains true in purpose and strong in spirit, taking
just pride in its excellent facilities, dedicated staff and laudable
history of quality health care; and

WHEREAS, Venerable and trustworthy institutions, tending to the
needs of the community and its citizenry, represent the threads from
which the fabric of society is woven, and so now is this Legislative

Body moved to recognize the beneficent good works of St. Elizabeth
Medical Center, sharing the pride of its history and accomplishments,
and anticipating its future of continued growth in quality and
personalized care; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
extend congratulations and just tribute to St. Elizabeth Medical Center,
commemorating its 150th Anniversary of service and care on behalf of the
Utica community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to St. Elizabeth Medical Center.