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A Look Back at PVH
This article was written by long-time employee
and current Director of Health Information Bonnie Gray.
Although we may think of June 4, 1973 as being the official opening day of Penobscot Valley Hospital, in reality that day was only the culmination of a dream that began in the summer of 1966. On July 1, 1966, Medicare went into effect, and the citizens of Lincoln and the surrounding towns learned that Medicare had denied compensation to the Lincoln Hospital and the Workman Hospital. The two facilities were not able to pass stringent inspections and did not receive Medicare certification.
In the midst of unrest in the community, and feelings of disappointment and discouragement, some very determined individuals dared to take on the daunting task of making plans to build a new hospital that would meet Medicare requirements.
A 25-member Hospital Committee was formed in August of 1966. G. Daniel Aiken was elected to serve as chairperson and Argie Edgecomb was elected to serve as secretary. Dr. Bourcard Nesin, one of the committee members, suggested that a petition be circulated in each of the towns within the geographical area. The wording on the petition was intended to alert government officials to the health-care plight of the local communities and to request that the two hospitals be approved for full Medicare use until a community hospital could be constructed and put into operation. The petition was successful and was eventually sent to President Lyndon B. Johnson. Medical care was then available in the community while citizens of the towns made plans to build a new hospital.
In April of 1967, legislation was passed to create a hospital district for the Lincoln area. It was signed into law by Governor Kenneth Curtis. In June of 1967, voters of 14 towns gave overwhelming approval to the proposed Hospital Administrative District. The first Board of Directors was elected in June of 1967. The Hospital District was finally approved on September 10, 1967. In November of 1967, it was reported that H.A.D. #1 would cost about one million dollars to build. About half of the money would come from the Hill Burton Funds through the federal government, but the other half million would have to be supplied by the participating communities.
In December 1967, the first fundraising project took place. Christmas trees were sold by hospital board members and members of the Hospital Committee, and the building fund went from 0 to $77.00. Serious fundraising did not begin until November of 1972, when a large group of volunteers organized to solicit pledges and accept money for an area hospital fund drive. The Lincoln Fund Drive was one of several taking place in all of the towns of H.A.D. #1. The goal of the drive was to reach $291,000. The plans for the hospital had been delayed by the closing of the Standard Packaging Company in March of 1968. All community efforts were focused on getting the mill to re-open.
On December 14, 1972, a local newspaper reported that more than 300 citizens from 15 area towns were hard at work soliciting support in the form of pledges to the fund drive for the new hospital which was under construction. The effort would help the hospital purchase modern equipment needed for the up-to-date facility.
There were large and small donations, but each one was significant—from the $10,000 pledge made by Northeast Bank to the $604.34 donated by seven 4-H youngsters who clipped coupons from packages of food products and turned thousands of coupons into the General Mills Company for a cash redemption.
The Hospital Auxiliary first met in March of 1973 with 35 women present. The group quickly became actively involved in raising money for the hospital. Their efforts have continued for 35 years, and their volunteer contributions of time and energy have done much to improve Penobscot Valley Hospital.
At last, the hospital was ready to open to patients. On May 19, and 20, 1973, a weekend open house for Penobscot Valley Hospital drew nearly 3,000 people. There were special speakers, an invocation, and music from the Mattanawcook Academy Band, the Penobscot Valley High School Band, and the Lincoln Town Band. The public was invited to tour their new building. The event was planned and hosted jointly by the Hospital Auxiliary and the Board of Directors.
 I was hired to staff the one-woman Medical Records Department and was present for opening day at Penobscot Valley Hospital. I have been one of the fortunate people to benefit from the diligence and faithfulness of the members of the first Hospital Committee and the first PVH Board of Directors. As an employee, and occasionally a patient, I have experienced all that PVH has to offer. I am very thankful to be employed by such an outstanding facility, and to have shared in the early beginnings of the Hospital. I have been inspired by the early history from 1966 to 1973 and privileged to participate in history-making events during subsequent years. (Bonnie is pictured in the center, wearing a dark suit.)
I am also very thankful to every person who donated to Hospital fundraisers. Whether the contributions came from Christmas tree sales, bake sales, raffles, garage sales, dinner theatres, golf tournaments or annual campaigns, they were all greatly appreciated. The hospital and the communities it serves have truly benefited from the generous contributions received through the years. The new Founding Donor Wall in the main lobby of the hospital will serve as an esthetically pleasing reminder that people care about the health care needs of Lincoln and the surrounding towns.
Bonnie Gray is the Director of Health Information at Penobscot Valley Hospital in Lincoln and has worked at PVH since its first year in operation.
For more information, contact Allison Bankston at abankston@pvhme.org.
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