LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 125th Anniversary of Rome
Hospital

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize those
hospitals within the State of New York which provide outstanding medical
care and vital services to meet the healthcare needs of their patients;
and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate 125th Anniversary of Rome Hospital, to be celebrated at a recep-
tion on Thursday, September 27, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Rome Hospital's roots date back to 1883, when the Bureau of
Employment and Relief petitioned the City of Rome to establish a Cottage
Hospital to care for the sick and injured; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Thomas M. Flandrau and his wife, Clarissa Foote Flandrau,
are credited as being the co-founders because of their efforts to arouse
public sentiment following a railroad accident; and
WHEREAS, The victims of the railroad accident were cared for at the
Flandraus' private residence because there was no other place; their
efforts were a success and on April 3, 1884, the Cottage Hospital on
Ridge Street admitted its first patient; and
WHEREAS, As Rome's population grew, it wasn't long before it became
apparent that the city needed more than the Cottage Hospital; and
WHEREAS, On September 27, 1887, Dr. Flandrau laid the cornerstone of
Rome Hospital at 117 East Garden Street in Rome, New York; and
WHEREAS, With further growth of the community, it was necessary for
the hospital to expand a number of times; in 1905, an annex was added to
the Garden Street facility to provide space for a nursing school and
living quarters for the nurses; and
WHEREAS, Thirteen years later, when the hospital needed the annex
space for the care of patients, a new nurses' home was constructed adja-
cent to the existing facility; and
WHEREAS, In 1920, James A. Murphy bequested funds which provided for
the establishment of Murphy Memorial Hospital, located on West Embargo
Street; the facility served patients with contagious diseases as well as
provided surgical services; and
WHEREAS, Rome Hospital and Murphy Memorial Hospital eventually merged
and the city built a new hospital on the current North James Street site
which opened on April 10, 1940, with 119 adult beds and 2 for children;
and
WHEREAS, Since its establishment, Rome's community hospital has
evolved to meet the health and wellness needs of Rome and the surround-
ing communities; and
WHEREAS, What began as a small hospital - serving 19 patients in 1884,
its first year of operation - has evolved into the busy Rome Memorial
Hospital it is today; and
WHEREAS, Currently, Rome Hospital cares for about 6,000 patients a
year in its 129 acute care beds and is home to 80 residents in its
skilled nursing facility; and
WHEREAS, In a year's time, the community's residents make more than
100,000 visits to its outpatient facilities for diagnostic testing and
treatment; and
WHEREAS, With technology that rivals major medical centers and a team
of skilled professionals, Rome Memorial Hospital delivers compassionate
medical care for every stage of life; and
WHEREAS, Heralded nationally for its clinical excellence, Rome Memori-
al Hospital has been recognized for following evidence based practices

by such well known organizations as the American Heart Association and
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and
WHEREAS, Our hospitals serve the vital purpose of providing for the
healthcare needs of our citizens through excellence in the delivery of
medical services; and
WHEREAS, Rome Hospital, and its expert staff, have had a long and
sustained commitment to the health and welfare of the citizens of Rome,
New York, and therefore merit the highest commendation of this Legisla-
tive Body; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 125th Anniversary of Rome Hospital; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Rome Hospital.