St. Mary’s County Commissioners Michael Hewitt, left, and Randy Guy and Todd Morgan, far right, present a Preservation Service Award to John W. Roache, MD, second from left; Nicki Strickland; Holly Meyer; and Carole Nelson for their contributions to “Reflections,” a new exhibit at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital.
Leonardtown, MD – “Reflections,” an exhibit of historical artifacts related to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital, was recently honored by the St. Mary’s County Historic Preservation Commission for its work to preserve and highlight the 106-year history of the nonprofit facility.
Representatives from the hospital accepted a Preservation Service Award and proclamation at the St. Mary’s County Commissioners’ monthly meeting on May 15. The award was one of three presented in honor of Historic Preservation Month.
Opened in October 2017, “Reflections” includes historical artifacts collected to celebrate the hospital’s centennial anniversary in 2012. Linda Lagle, Carole Nelson, Nicki Strickland, Dr. John W. Roache, Pat Wilkinson, and the hospital’s Marketing, Public Relations & Philanthropy team collaborated to locate, organize, and display a variety of historical photographs, letters, medical equipment, and other items donated by physicians, past and present, as well as community members.
“Creating the history room was a labor of love,” said Holly Meyer, director of Marketing, Public Relations & Philanthropy at MedStar St. Mary’s. “The growth of our hospital has always depended upon the support and generosity of our community, and we are proud to reflect so much local history – the history of St. Mary’s County, too – in this exhibit.”
“Reflections” is dedicated to Dr. Roache, a longtime surgeon and local historian who retired in 2016 after more than 40 years of service to the hospital. The history room is open to all visitors near the Café at Buena Vista on the first floor of the hospital’s main building.