(Long Island, NY) Turn of the century trailing gowns, elaborate hats, glamorous designer gowns were all the fashion at the Southampton Hospital’s 51st Annual Summer Party held under the tents on the corner of Wickapogue and Old Town Roads on Saturday, August 1- from 6:30 to 11:00 pm. The glitter of the social Hamptons’ scene attended an elegant evening of cocktails, silent auctions, dinner and dancing to the Alex Donner Orchestra to benefit Southampton Hospital’s Emergency Services. To celebrate its 51st year the Honorary Chairman was Super Model Christie Brinkley. Benefit Chairman was Sheila O’Malley Fuchs and the Master of Ceremonies was hosted by Chuck Scarborough.
During the evening I had the chance to interview Board of Trustee Bob Chaloner who mentioned that a million and a half dollars will be donated to this years goal of expanding emergency services for Southampton Hospital. Super Model Christie Brinkley who was this year’s Honorary Chairman candidly expressed her support for Southampton Hospital, “They are there for us twenty four hours a day. I have used their facilities, it’s compassionate care, the nurses and the doctors are like angels on earth. I am truly honored to be here tonight.”
The idea for a medical facility began back In 1908 when two local physicians, Dr. Wheelwright and Dr. Schenck, were notified to treat an ill patient on the outskirts of Southampton Village. Because of the urgency of this particular case in moving the patient to the nearest hospital, the doctors immediately had to take emergency measures and decided to operate only by the light of a kerosene lamp in a small attic room. The operation was successful and saved the woman’s life who later fully recovered.
That ordeal convinced the physicians that Southampton needed a hospital where emergency operations could be performed in safety. They discussed the issue with other local medical practioners and after several months, they were all determined to create a proper space for “modern” healthcare, complete with a district or public health nurse who would tend to its patients. At a group meeting on August 22, 1908, the attendees agreed to rent space for a nurse and a dispensary.
Nurse Charlotte Lillywhite was employed and transmitted into one of two rooms rented in the Goodale House on Hampton Road. The adjoining second room was established as an emergency room. The creation of a medical facility was so successful that there soon were cots lining the hall to accommodate patients. Three more rooms were rented on the third floor, but within a few months, plans were underway for a permanent hospital.
In 1911, the Southampton Hospital Association’s Board of Governors planned to construct a new, fireproof hospital on the empty land they had purchased. Summer colonist George C. Clark was appointed to acquire sufficient funds from the summer residents and J. W. Fletcher Howell was to contact local inhabitants. Samuel Parrish offered a 2.5 acre tract of land on Old Town Road, stretching from Meeting House Lane to Herrick Road, and plans were reestablished to construct on the new property instead of the old one.
The town was able to acquire Donations of almost $35,000 to build a suitable hospital and famed society architect T. Markoe Robertson donated the plans to construct it. Work began late in 1911, and the new hospital opened to the public on Washington’s Birthday, 1913. Cost for a fireproof construction and necessary medical equipment totaled $60,000.
The original 1913 structure was designed to be able to expand and indeed it has, along with the community it serves. Centrally located in the village of Southampton, two hours from New York City, the Hospital is the healthcare haven for an ethnically and financially diverse population of year round residents, second homeowners and vacationers. That original brick building is a far cry from its original facade with all its additions and improvements. The hospital and the community will continue to adapt, grow and expand into the 21st century.
The Mission of Southampton Hospital is to ensure and provide the highest possible medical care for its entire community.
If you are a resident between Westhampton and Montauk, Southampton Hospital is the only regional medical center most readily available for emergency care services.
Contributing to the Southampton Hospital Foundation supports:
- A department of emergency medicine available 365 days of the year, 24 hours a day.
- A surgical department that offers a team of 100 percent board-certified surgeons.
- An unparalleled nursing staff.
- A first-rate physical therapy department with locations in Southampton, Hampton Bays and Westhampton.
- Outstanding diagnostic imaging services and cutting-edge technology.
- A comprehensive Breast Health Center.
- An Ambulatory Surgery Unit where patients can access same-day surgery.
- Free community health education programs.
The Vision of Southampton Hospital is to constantly and effortlessly meet the changing needs of healthcare for all Long Islanders by providing access to a continuum of high quality clinical services. To achieve this challenge, the Hospital will focus resources on continuously improving clinical outcomes, patient safety, service excellence and promoting educational outreach and professional development of its staff.
To learn more about how you can contribute to this amazing hospital please visit http://www.southamptonhospital.org
