Orrville Lions learn the future of Aultman Orrville Hospital
January 25, 2012
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The Orrville Lions Club was treated to two guest speakers on Jan. 10. Dr. Marcelle Suppan, Dunlap Community Hospital CEO, addressed the group to define the changes underway in transitioning to Aultman Orrville Hospital.
Suppan credits the board of directors in 2008 with strategic planning sessions that recognized both the aging of baby boomers, creating a greater need for services, and the issues of less government funding available to help offset rising costs.
Our desire was to keep a hospital in Orrville while seeking partners with the same quality systems, IT, and state-of-the-art equipment for the best economies of scale. Because Dunlap was involved in the Independent Hospital Network alliance, there was already an affiliation with Aultman, making it the best choice, Suppan stated. Details of the changes were discussed in detail and will be presented at three separate town hall meetings to address any questions or concerns.
The second speaker was Mike Hamsher, Orrville City Councilman and teacher. This year, he and his family have been hosting Jacqueline Pfeiffer, an exchange student from Brunswick, Germany, who has become like a fourth daughter. She shared pictures from her exchange year with an organization named Youth for Understanding.
Pfeiffer said she joined the program to better understand and speak English, gain self-confidence, and travel. This year changed my life. Thanksgiving was very exciting for me because we dont have that day and I never had pumpkin pie before. I really like it here. Everyone is so welcoming. Im rarely homesick, shared Pfeiffer. She finds school here much easier than in Germany and feels she knows English grammar better than some of the local students. For more information on exchange opportunities, visit YFU-USA.org.
Upcoming speakers for Orrville Lions Club include Jim Write, owner of Brigadoon Kennels, Fire Chief Bob Ballentine at Fire Station 1, and Mistie Ankenman from the Orrville YMCA. Contact Kathi Bond for details 330-683-1482.
