CGH celebration concludes with a bang

GRANTS - Frank and Zoila Holmberg's grandson, John, remarked, “My very first job was at the Cibola General Hospital Thrift Shop.” Over the years, Zoila volunteered thousands of hours to the Hospital Auxiliary. Both grandparents were honored as Hall of Fame members for their tireless dedication to regional medical services.

Kenneth Cochran, Cibola General Hospital's CEO, welcomed more than 250 community members to the evening's festivities on Sept. 11. All were present to honor the dedicated staff's contributions and recognize thousands of hours given by community volunteers in the past 50 years. The banquet and program were part of weeklong celebrations acknowledging the 1959 founding of Cibola General.

The main portion of the program was the Hall of Fame nominees. A slide show of the hospital's history formed the backdrop to the podium. The Holmbergs and four area doctors were inducted into the Hall of Fame for their lifetime contributions to the medical community.

Dr. Diane Banks delivered more than 1,000 newborns in her years at Cibola General. Referring to Banks' commitment to all her patients, Dr. Arnold Valdivia stated, “She never gave up on her patients because she believed that each one deserved the care they needed.”

Dr. J. H. Fjord was a founding physician of the hospital and provided medical care until his retirement in 1986. Fondly known as “Doc” throughout the area, Ida Chavez recalled, “Doc was known to take all kinds of things in payment including chickens, eggs, elk and other foodstuffs. During the 1940s and 1950s, bartering was a common form of payment.”

Dr. Gilbert Gutierrez's medical practice began in 1956 and he was instrumental in the founding of Cibola General. In 2000 he retired to his ranch. Paul Milan remembered, “Dr. Gilbert used to charge less than five dollars, actually more like three dollars, for an office visit when he first began here in Grants.”

Dr. Arnolfo Valdivia is a native of Arequipa, Peru. A physician in both Peru and the United States, his career spans decades. His medical practice in Grants began in 1972. Dr. Janice Shipley said, “His dedication to respiratory conditions meant he was a leader in creating a smoke-free hospital environment here.”

John, the Holmberg's grandson, was the first one on the dance floor. In perfect harmony, he and his mother glided across the floor as others joined in the dancing that completed the evening's celebration.

Editor’s Note: See more hospital celebration news on page 4.