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Pictured in Top Graphic (1900-1950): LDS Hospital (Old tithing house); construction on old hospital; and the old hospital as it looks today |
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Dr.George West, who practiced in the Valley for 43 years, was one of the first doctors in Star Valley arriving in 1904. He regularly operated on patients in the kitchen of his home. The first hospital, other than Dr.West's home, was brought about by the LDS Church in Salt Lake City. The old Tithing Building located on the corner of Washington and Second Avenue, site of our present Afton Fire Station, was converted for this purpose. For many reasons this hospital location was short lived and the second hospital was then located downtown above where the Ford Theater is currently located on the west side of Washington Street. Drs. David Beal and Orson Trealor had their clinics here. Dr.Beal practiced in the Valley from 1920 - 1935; and Dr.Trealor from 1929 - 1970. Dr. Samuel Worthen arrived in Star Valley in 1935, shortly after the death of Dr.Beal. He began his own hospital clinic downtown across from Dr.Trealor's on the east side of Washington Street, above the location now occupied by Galloway Heating. Then in the early 1940's, Dr.Worthen's father started construction on a small hospital in Afton, on the corner of Adam St. and Fourth Avenue. With great expense and sacrifice by the Valley citizens, the west and south wings of the hospital were completed in October 1944, and the hospital was sold to the LDS Church. Dr.Worthen was called to military service in 1941 and returned in 1945 to continue his practice. At this point in time, all of Star Valley's medical service was centralized into this hospital. |
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Pictured Above in Second Picture (1950-2000): Doctors Trealor, Worthen and Perkes; Dr. Worthen and 2 nurses; and nurses at the old hospital |
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After Dr.Worthen's death and Dr.Trealor's retirement, Dr.Perkes was the only physician in the Valley between 1970 -1977. As medical procedures advanced, the hospital had served its purpose; and in 1973, Lincoln County formed a special hospital tax district. The North Lincoln County Hospital District provided funding for health care services, and once again the citizens of Star Valley unified to build our current 15 bed facility. Medical services were then centralized to the new site in November 1980; and Intermountain Health Care (IHC) continued in the administration of the hospital. Dr.Allen Carter joined the medical staff in July 1986; followed by Drs. K. Paul Head and Noel Stibor in July 1989. Drs. Martha Hageman, the Valley's only female doctor, and Donald Kirk joined Star Valley Medical Center in 1989. In the mid 1990's, the residents of the Valley then determined a need for a long-term care facility and the need to expand medical services to the north Valley area. The Alpine Family Clinic became a reality in 1995; followed by the Star Valley Care Center. Due to generous contributions from the people of the Valley, State grants, and County aid, a new 24 bed Care Center opened, adjacent to the hospital, in October 1997. Then in October 1999, Intermountain Health Care(IHC), who had managed the operations of the medical facilities in the Valley since 1973, announced plans to discontinue the management contract with Star Valley Hospital. Instead of floundering and losing vital services for Valley residents, the North Lincoln County Hospital District Board of Trustees made the decision not only to maintain the existing hospital, but to move forward with improved medical services. |
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Pictured Above in Third Graphic (2000-Present): Care Center; former Star Valley Hospital; and the Current Medical Center Entrance. |
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In it's first 2 1/2 years, Star Valley Medical Center grew beyond expectations. Added services and physicians, as well as, an increase in volume of medical care has once again brought the citizens of "The Star of All Valleys" to a unique opportunity to unite in building a new addition to its medical facility to meet the diverse needs of its patients. Dr.Kenneth Cobbs, a full time certified Orthopaedic Surgeon, was added to our staff in April 2001, and Dr.Scott Bender, a full time certified General Surgeon, was added in June 2001. They became the first specialists to reside in the Valley. On August 21,2001, the registered voters of the North Lincoln County Hospital District voted approval of a $2.5 million Bond Issue towards construction of a new 39,000 sq.ft. hospital and renovation of the current facility into physician clinics. The voter turn-out was overwhelmingly in favor by a 75% "Yes" vote. The Wyoming State Land and Investment Board approved a SVMC grant request to fund this new construction and renovation project; and ground breaking was held on April 15,2002. Construction was completed and the official dedication of the new facility took place on Friday June 6, 2003. Immediately upon the move into the new facility renovations to change the old hospital into the physician clinics began. On April 12th, 2004 the new physician clinics were occupied by the Star Valley Family Physicians Dr. Carter, Dr. Head, Dr. Stibor, Dr. Hageman, Dr. Kirk and Dr. Bennett as a central office. Also, Dr. Cobbs, Orthopaedic Surgeon, and Dr. Bender, General Surgeon, moved into the east wing of the Medical Office Building. With the departure of Dr. Cobbs in February 2005, doctor Alvin Forbes, Summit Orthopaedics, and Teton Orthopaedic Doctors Champa, Yost, and Skene filled the void until the arrival of Dr. Brian Tallerico in August 2006. Respiratory Therapy department was established in June 2006 with addition of Michael Ford, R.T.T. David Shrader, M.D., Pulmonary/Internal Medicine specialist joined the professional staff in April 2007. The Sleep Lab was established in June 2007. January 12, 2008 proved to be a sad day for Star Valley when Dr. Scott Leo Bennett met his untimely death in an avalanche near the Cottonwood Lake area. In February of 2008, Dr. Marlowe Goble, noted Orthopaedic Knee Specialist, joined the SVMC professional staff and teamed with Dr. Tallerico at Salt River Orthopaedics. In June of 2008, the Sleep Lab was moved into its own building with two separate sleep labs that allows the certified technician to do two studies simultaneously. In 2009, Dr. Christian Mogan joined Star Valley Medical Center, followed by Drs. Niki Milleson and Ross Pieper in 2010. True to our heritage:
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