On July 13, 1954, Terrebonne General Hospital began operations. On that day 50 years ago, no one could have envisioned the state of the art facility that Terrebonne General Medical Center has become. The success story of the hospital can be compared to cooking a south Louisiana dish from a time worn recipe and having it come out perfectly.

The individuals that established the hospital were visionaries. They realized the need for a community hospital and worked tirelessly to make it a reality. Because of their insight, Terrebonne General has been able to grow by leaps and bounds. This unprecedented growth has been an unanticipated boost to the community as well.

Terrebonne General has become more than just a community hospital. We've been recognized over the years as a leader in many fields. Most recently, our radiology and special imaging department won the Imaging Facility of the Year award from Advance (magazine) for Imaging Professionals. Our Health and Rehabilitation Center also achieved the highest possible scores during a recent re-accreditation process. Those scores placed us in the top 3% in the nation.

The technology and services that TGMC offers are only some of the ingredients of a successful recipe. If not for you, the members of the community who have supported the hospital since it's opening, we would not be here today. Over the years you have believed in the medical center, you have trusted your family physicians, and you have encouraged your sons and daughters to choose the medical field as a career. For that we thank you.

As we enter our 50th year of providing quality health care to the people of our area, Terrebonne General faces some new, unique challenges. We will meet those challenges by continuing to find funding for new technologies and maintaining our level of services and quality care. Increased competition and shrinking reimbursement dollars are indeed a reality, but we will continue to work with our government officials on legislation that will spur positive change. Our Board of Commissioners and Administration will strive to preserve the integrity of the institution.

With your continued support, we will be able to preserve the health of our culture for the next fifty years. After all, we've already discovered the winning recipe for doing so.

Phyllis Peoples