Published: January 31, 2008 05:14 am         

Change is Good

Marymount officially becomes Saint Joseph London

In an early afternoon ceremony Monday, Marymount’s new name — Saint Joseph London — was unveiled, with dignitaries, officials and employees in attendance.

Seven of Kentucky’s most respected health care organizations have completed their plans to come together as one.

The facilities that formally began operations as Saint Joseph Health System earlier this month include Marymount Medical Center, London; Flaget Memorial Hospital, Bardstown; Our Lady of the Way Hospital, Martin; and Saint Joseph HealthCare, Lexington, Berea and Mount Sterling.

During the ceremony each president poured water from his town into a vase symbolizing the coming together of the seven hospitals.

“Each president has a pitcher of water that contains water from their respective geographical areas and during the service this morning each individual will come forward and pour their pitcher into the container on the table,” said Ginna Dempsey, CEO of Saint Joseph London. “It is a symbol of everyone coming together. These institutions have all been independent up to this point in time and now we come together to join as one.”

There was also a book in the main hospital lobby that all of the staff employees are to sign.

“The book is representative of all of our staff employees at this moment in time,” Dempsey said. “The responsibility for carrying us forward demands our commitment. That commitment is witnessed through each of us individually by signing that book.”

The book will remain at the main offices in Lexington.

A prayer was said by everyone at the closing: “Gracious God, we give thanks for the vision and blessings of the past and look forward to opportunities to transform your healing ministry. Help us to accept that there is a time for mourning and a time for dancing; a time for ending and a time for new beginnings. Help us to be aware of this new time, which for us is a future full of hope. Amen.”

After the new sign was blessed by Gene Woods, CEO of Saint Joseph Health System, it was unveiled by Dempsey and Mike Fiechter, board chair Saint Joseph London.