Recently, Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames celebrated its 100th anniversary. As part of the festivities, CEO Brian Dieter recited the original building’s dedication as it was delivered in 1916 by Captain Wallace Greeley, the New York-born Union Army officer who supported the hospital’s construction in memory of his wife, Mary, who had passed away two years earlier.
Wallace Greeley
Reading Capt. Greeley’s words 100 years later, it’s clear that his gift was a product of sincere humility from a loving husband who simply wanted to serve his community and provide a proper remembrance of his wife. Not only was Mary his spouse for nearly 50 years, she was his partner in running their farm and settling and developing Ames, which was only a small village of about 100 people when they arrived in 1868.
“My purpose in the erection of this building is not for any credit that may accrue to me individually but to the memory of one I can never forget,” he said. “In tendering you this gift, I trust that it will be received in the same spirit in which Mrs. Greeley would have wished were she here and I hope that the loyal people of Ames will tenderly guard its keeping and make it a home for many needy and afflicted persons whose care will be entrusted to them during the future life of this institution.”
In his brief dedication, Capt. Greeley did not set forth a high-flying medical agenda for Iowa’s newest hospital. Instead, he spoke humbly about simply serving the community and those in need in a responsible manner. “To care for the sick and to those who by misfortune or otherwise are in need is a heritage left to us which we must meet and to me it seems that in no other way can it be done more satisfactorily or economically than in a home like this.”
Mary Greeley Medical Center
It’s interesting that twice in the dedication Capt. Greeley refers to the hospital as “a home.” Perhaps this was simply a reflection of the hospital role a century ago, when extended inpatient stays were very much the norm. However, given the lack of clinical references, it seems just as likely he viewed the hospital as a shared place of comfort and hope as well as a hub from which expert care and compassion would emanate – not unlike today’s coordinated, community-based health care model.
Capt. Greeley’s message is an enduring one. Long before Mary Greeley Medical Center opened and dozens of times since, Iowa communities, leaders and everyday citizens committed significant resources to ensure access to health care through their community hospitals. Their commitment is a statewide constant, as community support of hospitals and their value proposition remains strong, notably evidenced by ongoing expansion and improvement of facilities as well as overall support of hospital policy priorities.
That kind of long-term trust is earned every day by hospitals and their leaders who do indeed “tenderly guard” the community hospital mission and work to “make it a home” for everyone.
