On Thursday, May 19, 2016, Wilson Health hosted the grand opening and building dedication of the Thomas Boecker Professional Building, which is located on its main campus. In conjunction with the Sidney-Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, guests were offered tours of the new 48,000 square foot building. A special presentation and building dedication also took place for Thomas J. Boecker, former president and CEO.
An invocation and blessing for the new building was provided by Pastor David Chivington, lead pastor of Sidney First United Methodist Church and president of the Shelby County Ministerial Association.
Jeff Raible, president of the Sidney-Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, who welcomed guests said, “On behalf of the Sidney-Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and our entire membership, I want to thank Wilson Health for continuing to progress forward in meeting the health needs of the community. This new building ranks among the top five largest projects in Shelby County over the past five years.”
Mark Dooley, president and CEO of Wilson Health said, “It’s exciting to see such great community support this evening. Two years ago we began the design phase for this project. Here we are today officially opening the doors to the Thomas Boecker Professional Building.”
Dooley went on to describe the objectives for the new medical building emphasizing the importance of providing a care model dedicated to enhancing the patient experience, improving communication, optimizing access and positioning Wilson Health and Wilson Health Medical Group to continue to recruit and mentor new medical providers.
“We feel we have achieved these objectives in the facility design and construction,” said Dooley. “Just as important, we have been working as a team to improve and enhance our patient care processes within our medical group and the way we deliver care to our patients.”
Dooley recognized the architectural firm, App Architecture, and general contracting company, Ferguson Construction Company, for the quality of work demonstrated throughout the entire project.
In recognition of his role and years of service to Wilson Health and the hospital, the Board of Trustees named the building the Thomas Boecker Professional Building. Wilson Health Board chairman, Stan Crosley, said, “I’ve served on the Board of Trustees for eight years and recall when Tom presented the vision for this new facility a few years ago. It’s fulfilling to see that vision become a reality.”
Boecker dedicated 40 years of service to Wilson including seventeen years serving as president and CEO. During his tenure the first hospital-owned physician group was established in 1993. Today, the Wilson Health Medical Group has grown to include 38 providers. Many other notable healthcare services were initiated under Boecker’s leadership and direction and remain in existence today. He dedicated a lifetime of service to both Wilson Health and the Shelby County community.
A recognition plaque in honor of Boecker was unveiled at the event. “I am honored to be associated with Wilson Health in this public way,” said Boecker. “This evening’s event is exciting in its own right but also as a culmination of a long-term plan to improve healthcare in our community. We are fortunate to have a community hospital where we can provide the highest quality best care for our community and attract and retain the highest quality providers.”
Boecker went on to thank his wife Sandy, who also worked for Wilson for over 20 years as a diabetic educator, for her continual support over the years. Boecker’s 96 year-old father, Fred Boecker, of Minster, was in attendance along with his two daughters and their families.
“None of this would have been possible without my family,” Boecker said. “I’ve been fortunate to have most of my family living in Sidney and the surrounding area. I can’t thank them all enough for their support over the years. It has been invaluable.”
The presentation concluded with a ceremonial ribbon cutting conducted by Sidney-Shelby County Chamber of Commerce to “officially” open the new medical building.
For more information, visit wilsonhealth.org.