Berlin Memorial Hospital and Wild Rose Community Memorial Hospital are Bringing the Power of Care to the Community with a variety of activities during National Hospital Week May 11-17^th.

Sponsored by the American Hospital Association, National Hospital Week recognizes those dedicated to making medical services available to families in their communities 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.

Berlin Memorial Hospital, Community Health Network’s acute care facility located at 225 Memorial Drive, was founded in 1911 and has grown to provide quality care to more than 30,000 area families. Wild Rose Community Memorial Hospital, working in partnership with CHN at 601 Grove Avenue, was one of the state’s first hospitals to be designated a Critical Access Hospital, which recognizes the significance of the facility to the rural communities it serves.

Berlin Memorial Hospital’s National Hospital Week activities include:

· Children’s Facility Tours—Hundreds of area elementary students will learn about their local hospital when they spend more than an hour touring the facility throughout the week. With hospital employees leading the tours, children will visit each department, try their hands at some equipment, and practice using a hospital bed, wheelchair, stethoscope and more in a special “play room.”

· Hospital Week BBQ—Employees, volunteers and visitors can enjoy a complimentary cook-out with their peers during a Hospital Week BBQ in the hospital’s loading dock area from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14^th. A supper from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and ‘midnight snack’ will be available in the cafeteria for those employees working the night and evening shifts.

· Community Health Fair— Join the fun of the second annual Community Health Fair to take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 17^th at Riverside Park north facilities in Berlin– in conjunction with the Helping Hands for Cancer 5K Run/Walk event. The day devoted to health will include health screenings, emergency response vehicle tours, health education materials, giveaways and more. The Community Health Fair is free and open to everyone.

Wild Rose Community Memorial Hospital’s National Hospital Week activities include:

· Children’s Facility Tours— Area first grade students have the opportunity to learn more about Wild Rose Hospital, its technology and services when they spend an afternoon touring the facility on Friday, May 16^th. With hospital volunteers and employees conducting the tours, children will visit each department. Wheelchair rides are predicted to again be a favorite activity!

· Staff Celebrations—In honor of the special recognition week, a variety of internal activities – such as special meals, contests, and displays -- are planned for Wild Rose Hospital staff, volunteers and visitors.

The celebration of National Hospital Week began in 1921 when a magazine editor suggested that hospitals share information about their services to alleviate patient fears about institutions during that era. From that beginning, Hospital Week expanded to facilities across the nation and has grown into one of the nation’s most widely celebrated recognition events.

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Berlin Memorial Hospital and Wild Rose Community Memorial Hospital are Bringing the Power of Care to the Community with a variety of activities during National Hospital Week May 11-17th.

Berlin Memorial Hospital and Wild Rose Community Memorial Hospital are Bringing the Power of Care to the Community with a variety of activities during National Hospital Week May 11-17^th.