Before a crowd of approximately 200 people huddled under a massive tent in the parking lot, BJC Medical Center transformed into Northridge Medical Center Wednesday afternoon.
The unveiling of the name climaxed an event termed as a celebration of BJC Medical Center's 50 years in Commerce, Restoration Healthcare's one-year anniversary of ownership and an unveiling of the long-awaited new name.
"Our new name is Northridge Medical Center, announced CEO Steve Clapp, who added that the nursing home is now Northridge Health and Rehabilitation Center.
The name was chosen from among 200 entries, but its author elected to remain anonymous. As the final act in the ceremony, medical staff member and one of the physician-owners — Clark Hill— presented the $500 prize for the name to the Boys and Girls Club of Jackson County, as requested by the author.
The misting rain did not appear to have an effect on attendance, as more than 200 people turned out to witness the final transition as a once public institution took on the new name as it embarks on its second half century of providing healthcare services.
Charles Blair, last chairman of the BJC Medical Center Authority, invoked the names of BJC pioneers from A.D. Bolton, who donated the land to Drs. Paul Scoggins, A.A. Rogers, Joe Griffeth and Sam Vickery. The only survivor among those, Vickery, was present for the occasion. Blair remembered the late Richard Massey, who worked for years in the Radiology Department, and singled out Henry Slocum, who he called "the face of BJC; the one constant if you went around in the community, he was there," and the longest serving remaining employees, Geraldine Lord and Eva Payne. He called the name of former board members, and thanked local elected officials, staff members and volunteers.
But the focus remained on the future.
"We feel like healthcare is in great hands for years to come with Steve Clapp and Restoration Healthcare," Blair commented. He closed by asking the community to support the hospital.
"This hospital is the crown jewel of the community," he said. "We need this hospital."
Clapp spoke just briefly, mentioning improvements made over the past year, including the recruitment of two new primary care physicians, the addition of several pieces of equipment and the pending switch to a new computer system.
"We have spent or committed over $1.5 million for equipment," Clapp noted.
