Yoakum Community Hospital: celebrating a century

  • The Yoakum Community Hospital celebrated its 100th anniversary with a three-day celebration May 12 through May 14.
    The Yoakum Community Hospital celebrated its 100th anniversary with a three-day celebration May 12 through May 14.
  • John Wayne Schulz performs outside the Yoakum Heritage Museum for the reveal of the YCH exhibit May 12.
    John Wayne Schulz performs outside the Yoakum Heritage Museum for the reveal of the YCH exhibit May 12.
  • The Yoakum Heritage Museum YCH display contained several articles and pieces of hospital memorablia.
    The Yoakum Heritage Museum YCH display contained several articles and pieces of hospital memorablia.
  • Yoakum Community Hospital staff, the Pink Ladies, City staff, City Council members, and other locals pose by the recently dedicated oak tree on Friday, May 13.
    Yoakum Community Hospital staff, the Pink Ladies, City staff, City Council members, and other locals pose by the recently dedicated oak tree on Friday, May 13.
  • Director Counseling Services Stephanie Lerch speaks about the YCH’s role in the Yoakum-area community.
    Director Counseling Services Stephanie Lerch speaks about the YCH’s role in the Yoakum-area community.

     

    The Yoakum Community Hospital (YCH) celebrated 100 years of local health care last week with three days of festivities spanning May 12 through May 14.

     

    YCH CEO Karen Barber reported after the weekend that she was delighted with the turnout at all of the events and emphasized her gratitude to the community members who joined in celebrating the anniversary.

     

    The celebration kicked off last Thursday with hundreds of guests attending the grand opening of the four-room YCH exhibit at the Yoakum Heritage Museum with live music performed by John Wayne Schulz.

     

    “The museum was amazing,” said Barber last Friday. “That’s probably the best turnout that they’ve had for any event. A lot of the staff was talking about it (afterward). That went well, and I know the museum did well.”

     

    On Friday, Hospital staff joined the members of the YCH Auxillary (also referred to as the Pink Ladies) in an oak tree dedication to honor the hospital’s century of service to the local community.

     

    “This tree symbolizes a century of growth and a future of leadership,” said Lerch during the event. “We celebrate, commemorate and memorialize the past, present and future people and employees who have and will continue to serve our community.” 

    The events continued Saturday morning with a golf tournament at the Yoakum Municipal Golf Course.

     

    The milestone 100-year anniversary concluded Saturday night with an Evening Celebration at the Yoakum Community Center that featured a cocktail hour and dinner. Special guest speakers made an appearance from the Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals (TORCH), the Texas Hospital Association (THA), and the Community Hospital Corporation (CHC).