Star Beacon
September 30, 2006 08:23 am Click here to order our 9/30/2006 Archive edition.
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... Conneaut's hospital gets a name change. Brown Memorial now UH Conneaut Medical Center
By MARK TODD
Staff Writer
mtodd@starbeacon.com
CONNEAUT - - Brown Memorial Hospital in Conneaut is no more.
In keeping with the policy of University Hospitals, the facility now has a new name - - UH Conneaut Medical Center.
Crews are installing signs with the new name, and receptionists and correspondence now reference the new moniker.
The hospital is throwing a community carnival between 1 and 4 p.m. Oct. 7 to celebrate it's new identity, according to a statement. Games for children, music and activities will be featured, as well as the unveiling of the hospital's new sign.
UH is renaming all it's operations in similar fashion for the sake of consistency and to reflect it's location, said Ernst Weninger, hospital spokesman. -All are now known as medical centers.-
The hospital board, comprised of local residents, endorsed the change, said member Tim Kraus.
-The suggestion came out of Cleveland, but it came to the local board for us to examine,- he said. -The board had the opportunity to nix the idea or change it.-
One big selling point is the new version puts the city' name in the title, Kraus said.
-Conneaut wasn't in the name of our hospital,- he said. -It's an opportunity to put the Conneaut name out there.-
Board members also broached the subject of a new name with people in the community before taking a vote, Kraus said. -The response very encouraging,- he said.
Brown Memorial Hospital was born from a home donated by one of Conneaut's oldest families, according to -History of Ashtabula County,- published by the Ashtabula County Genealogical Society.
In 1919, William H. Brown donated the family homestead on West Main Road for use as a hospital. The family had lived on the property since 1822.
According to the history book, Brown set some conditions before making the donation - - including a stipulation the hospital be named after his family. He also insisted the hospital be incorporated, be governed by a board of trustees and kept out of politics. Also, if the hospital is abandoned, the land reverts back to the Brown heirs, according to the book
The new hospital opened it's doors on April 11, 1922.
A sizable tribute to the original benefactors will be created inside the hospital, Kraus said. Efforts will be made to locate descendants and invite them to the Oct. 7 event, he said.
-We want to make sure the history is honored,- Kraus said. -There will be a very significant memorial to the Brown family in the hospital.-
Laurie Delgado, administrator at UH hospitals in Conneaut and Geneva, could not be reached for comment Friday.
Star Beacon Print Edition: 9/30/2006
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Photos
BROWN MEMORIAL Hospital in Conneaut has had the same name since 1922. The hospital is now named University Hospitals Conneaut Medical Center. The Star Beacon