Auburn Memorial Hospital was created in 1878 through the generosity of our community, and it still depends on that generosity today. The hospital/community relationship has always been mutually beneficial - the hospital was founded to meet the health care needs of people in and around Cayuga County, and in return, those people have expressed their appreciation through financial contributions and support.

The very first gift came before the hospital existed. James S. Seymour, who was at the time the president of the Bank of Auburn, bequeathed $30,000 upon his death to be held in trust for building a hospital in the City of Auburn. The sum was to be paid by his executors whenever the legal act of incorporation was completed and the trustees were ready to obtain a site and erect the necessary building.

In 1878, James R. Cox, an attorney, drew up the Articles of Incorporation and the first meeting of the Board of Trustees was held Sept. 16, 1878. Officers were elected, including William H. Seward as treasurer.

Also at this meeting, Mr. Seward, D.M. Osborne and Charles Standart were named as a committee to pick out a site for the hospital. They recommended the Lansing Street property which was purchased Sept. 29, 1878 for $6,000. That amount may seem small by current standards, but in 1878 it was substantial and had to be raised by public subscription from 32 donors. One of these donors was Dr. Amanda Sanford Hickey, the first female doctor in Auburn, for whom the hospital's Legacy Society is named.

A residence on the Lansing Street property was remodeled to make it suitable to serve as a hospital. A Board of Lady Managers was appointed by the Board and was given the responsibility of directing the internal operations of the hospital.

The remodeling and equipping of the building was completed with a total capacity of 13 beds and the first patient was admitted on April 14, 1880. At the dedication ceremonies held that year, the Rev. Charles Hawley stated, “The Hospital was among the last things needed to complete the circle of benevolent agencies and beautiful charities that grace our Fair City.”

During the first year of operation, it became obvious that additional beds were needed and that “the cost of operation was creating a feeling of anxiety among the Lady Managers.” Many plans were devised to lighten the financial burdens, such as food basket contributions, amateur theatricals, donation days and direct public appeals. The first Charity Ball was held in 1883, with proceeds of $265.94. Despite all these efforts, “operating costs were rising rapidly and the problem seemed quite overwhelming.”

That last sentence could have been taken from newspaper headlines about the hospital in recent months, couldn't it? Yet despite the seemingly overwhelming financial challenges of the 1880s, the hospital is still here. As actress Valerie Harper stated at the June 12 gala fundraiser for Auburn Memorial Hospital, “It all started from that very first 13-bed facility that people had to struggle and suffer for. They stuck with it through the ebb and flow, and said they were going to make it. And that is what all of you are doing here tonight. You are saying that you are going to make it work and make sure the hospital is here 100 years from now.”

The challenges may seem to be even larger in the new millennium, but the generosity of the community continues to grow as well. The AMH Spring Celebration at which Miss Harper spoke netted about $75,000 for a new CT Scanner #- quite a comparison to the $265 raised at the first Charity Ball! And recent donations continue the tradition of philanthropy that created the hospital. Cases in point are:

� $25,000 anonymous donation for imaging equipment

� $1 million state grant for imaging equipment made possible by Sen. Michael F. Nozzolio

� $100,000 from Donald Doody in appreciation for care he received after a farm accident years ago

� $100,000 from The Allyn Foundation for the hospital's program of performance improvement activities with the goal of $7 million savings annually

� $250,000 from the Fred L. Emerson Foundation for the hospital's program of performance improvement activities with the goal of $7 million savings annually

As Mr. Doody stated, “When I was in the direst of situations, AMH was there for me.” And when the hospital has faced tough financial challenges, community support has been there, helping the hospital regain its fiscal health. Thank you from all of us at AMH to our friends and neighbors. As long as you're here for us, we'll be here for you!

(Note: Material for this column comes in part from a special supplement to The Citizen published November 26, 1978, on the occasion of the hospital's Centennial.)

Beverly Miller is the director of community relations and the

Hospital Foundation at Auburn Memorial Hospital