Growth of hospitals outlined
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growth of Fresno Community
ospiial and the future growth of
Clovis Memorial, Peters recalled' he
joined the old Community Hospital
Board in 1949, 20 years after he
began work with Valley Foundary
and Machine Works.
Peters currently owns the machine
works now and has been chairman of
the hospital board for many years.
He recalled .that Community
Hospital was owned by a group of
doctors until 1946 when it was sold
for $250,000 to a' board making up
the non-profit organization' running
the hospital. '
He said the hospital has developed
into a center of sophisticated medical
care with personnel who keep up with
latest advancements in medicine. As
a center of sophisticated care, Peters
said the hospital serves smaller
hospitals in the areas that cannot
afford such changes that occur in the
medical field in equipment and such.
In predicting growth in the Clovis
area, Peters estimated a population
of 60,000 to 70,000 persons before
too long.
When Clovis Memorial Hospital
merged with Fresno Community,
Peters recalled the need to spruce up
the hospital with a new coat of paint,
paved parking area and a new
lighting system to be installed soon.
Peters noted that a philantrophist
had donated land at Herndon and
Academy Avenues to various
agencies, including Clovis Memorial
Hospital which now owns 147 acres.
Another six acres belongs to the
American Red Cross and the Salva-*
tion.Army has 27 acres. Peters said
steps are underway to acquire the
remainder of the property to provide
a 180 acre site for future building as
the community grows to the north
and the east.
He forecast that a helipad would
be added to the present hospital in
the future and helicopter service will
be provided.
In challenging those present,
Peters reminded them that, "No
hospital, ho health care institution
can function without the support of
its medical staff."
By Hal McWilliams
City Editor
