Mayaguez, Puerto Rico…[IAD Staff]
Bella Vista Hospital celebrated its fiftieth year as an Adventist institution serving the community in Mayaguez and the island of Puerto Rico. The 50th anniversary celebration took place during a weekend marked by a series of events and special programs on March 12-14.
A spiritual homecoming ceremony on Friday evening brought administrators, staff and a large number of the descendants of hospital pioneers, including the children and grandchildren of Dr. William Colby Dunscombe, founder of the hospital, as well as several children of some of the first missionary physicians who served the hospital in its first days. Also in attendance was the first patient who entered the hospital during its first day of operation, Mr. Juan Rodriguez, a veteran of the Second World War. Also present were the first twins born at the hospital.
Other notable visitors included patients of miraculous cases treated at the hospital during its half century history: a child born with an esophagel atresia (a dead-end esophagus not connected to the stomach), which became the first case in Puerto Rico, who survived the delicate operation of connecting the esophagus to the stomach; a boy suffering from a malignant brain tumor who was prayed for and anointed by the hospital chaplain was later found to have no sign of tumor; Finally a young man who, after involved in a car accident, was pronounced dead at the scene, later brought to BVH surgeons revived him. All three former patients were present, along with the doctors who then took care of them.
The Sabbath morning service ended with a pledge from those present to the service of humanity and God.
A highlight of the event activities included a ceremony with several local and federal authorities, among them the senator of Puerto Rico, who, on behalf of the Senate, gave a special official commendation document to Ornan Martinez, executive director of BVH. The ceremony ended with a special prayer of consecration by Dr. Elie S. Honore, Health Ministries director for the church in Inter-America. A display of fireworks concluded the celebration.
Established on January 4, 1954, Bella Vista Hospital has treated thousands of patients and continues to provide a range of medical services to those who enter. BVH currently has 157 beds.