HUNTINGTON ֱ St. Maryֱs Medical Center marked its first century of service Wednesday evening in Huntington.
As part of the centennial celebration, St. Maryֱs inducted former CEO Michael Sellards and the Pallottine Missionary Sisters into the St. Maryֱs Wall of Fame, honoring their contributions to the hospital and community.
ֱItֱs a wonderful honor,ֱ said Sellards, who was president and CEO for 19 years before retiring in 2019. ֱI was part of the leadership team that established the Palatine Foundation, the St. Maryֱs Foundation and negotiated the purchase of the former grocery store building, which is today the St. Maryֱs Conference Center, and converted it into the educational center that it is today.ֱ
Missionary Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate pose with their wall of fame plaque as St. Maryֱs Medical Center hosts its Centennial Celebration and Wall of Fame Induction on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, at the St. Maryֱs Center for Education in Huntington.
- Sholten Singer | The Herald-Dispatch
The event took place in the St. Maryֱs Conference Center in the 2800 block of 5th Avenue. It included remarks from hospital leadership, a commemorative ceremony with a special video premiere of the Pallottine Sisters and a dinner reception.
Sister Danuta Przybylek, Pallottine Missionary Sisters chairwoman, who is on the Pallottine Foundation Board of Trustees, called the honor humbling.
ֱIt evokes memories of the past struggles and successes, and emphasizes the sistersֱ faith-based vocation, particularly in health care,ֱ she said. ֱThe community, though institutionally recognized, is rooted in faith and service. It is a personal honor to be part of a long legacy that I have been a part of as a younger member from Poland.ֱ
For 100 years, the Pallottine Missionary Sisters provided the foundation for what is today the largest tertiary care hospital in the Tri-State region and Cabell Countyֱs largest private employer.
The sisters said they were inspired by founder St. Vincent Pallottiֱs motto, ֱThe Love of Christ Impels Us,ֱ the Pallottines came to America from Germany in 1912. On Nov. 6, 1924, the sisters were ready to open their 35-bed hospital and place it under the protection of Mary, the Mother of God.
The next day, St. Maryֱs admitted its first patient, a charity case, the beginning of the hospitalֱs long tradition of caring for the poor.
A Centennial Mass took place early in the evening in the St. Maryֱs Chapel with The Most Rev. Mark Brennan, bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.
Angie Swearingen, St. Maryֱs Medical Centerֱs chief operating officer, said Wednesday nightֱs events were for honoring its founders and former leader for their influence on health care in the community.
ֱAs part of Marshall Health Network, the organization aims to continue the sistersֱ mission by addressing health care disparities, public health issues and fostering compassion,ֱ she said. ֱThey have emphasized the importance of investing in the community and their goal is to advance health, inspire hope and serve for the next century.ֱ
St. Maryֱs Medical Center is one of Cabell Countyֱs largest private employers with over 2,600 employees and, at 413 beds, is among the largest health care facilities in West Virginia.
As a teaching facility associated with the Joan C. Edwards Marshall University School of Medicine, St. Maryֱs trains medical residents in several specialties. The hospital campus is home to the St. Maryֱs School of Nursing, the St. Maryֱs School of Medical Imaging and the St. Maryֱs School of Respiratory Care. All three programs are associated with Marshall University.
