LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the South-
ampton Hospital

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor
those organizations of concerned commitment who have faithfully served
in the delivery of medical services to the citizens of the State of New
York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, it is the sense of this Legisla-
tive Body to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Southampton Hospi-
tal; and
WHEREAS, In 1908, two local physicians, Drs. Wheelwright and Schenck,
were called to treat a patient on the outskirts of Southampton Village;
the case was so urgent they couldn't take time to move the patient to
the closest hospital; so, by the light of a kerosene lamp in a small
attic room, they operated to save the life of a woman who, in time,
fully recovered; and
WHEREAS, That particular ordeal convinced the doctors that Southampton
needed a place where emergency operations could be performed in safety;
they discussed the problem with other local physicians and, after
several months, they were all determined to create a proper space for
modern healthcare, complete with a district or public health nurse who
would tend to its patients; and
WHEREAS, At a meeting on August 22, 1908, those attending agreed to
rent space for a nurse and a dispensary; the new venture was so success-
ful that there soon were cots lining the hall to accommodate patients;
three more rooms were rented on the third floor, but within a few
months, plans were underway for a permanent hospital and it became
incorporated in 1909; and
WHEREAS, Since it first opened its doors in 1909, Southampton Hospital
has stayed true to its founders' dream of providing the best possible
medical care; Southampton Hospital is the only major medical facility on
Long Island's South Fork and serves an area that encompasses the towns
of Southampton, East Hampton and Shelter Island and serves patients from
across the North Fork as well; and
WHEREAS, The mission of Southampton Hospital is to provide and ensure
the highest quality of healthcare services for its entire community; and
WHEREAS, The vision of Southampton Hospital is to meet the evolving
healthcare needs of its Eastern Long Island community by providing
access to a continuum of high quality clinical services; to achieve
this, the Hospital will focus resources on continuously improving clin-
ical outcomes, patient safety, service excellence and promoting educa-
tional outreach and professional development of its staff; and
WHEREAS, Through its long and sustained commitment to the maintenance
of compassionate and quality health care, Southampton Hospital has so
unalterably advanced that spirit of united purpose and shared concern
which is a true manifestation of the human endeavor; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Southampton Hospital; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Southampton Hospital.