In September, our community celebrated the 15th anniversary of Park City Hospital and its contribution to community health and well-being. I thought it would be appropriate to also share its humble beginnings as a grassroots effort by many community members, from medical to business professionals.

The Summit Community Hospital Development Foundation was born in the winter of 1999 due to a rapidly growing community and a desire to support the hospital needs of the population without requiring residents and visitors to travel 30-60 miles outside of Summit County. The Summit/Wasatch County Medical Society spent hundreds of hours talking with Western County hospital administrators and doctors to research “what works and what doesn’t” in similar communities. In January 2000, citizens were invited to join the effort. A working committee of 15 physicians and 15 community members guided the organization (non-profit) through the incorporation process.

The group met in the basement of the Jack Johnson Building in the early morning hours and discussed the rationale/business plan, land acquisition/facilities, financial implications, community support, etc. created subcommittees to investigate. With Solomon’s generous donation, Beano commissioned a feasibility study that clearly demonstrated the need and support for a local hospital.

With the results of the feasibility study in hand, foundation board members and volunteers engaged in community outreach, fundraising efforts, and a comprehensive evaluation of various potential partners to build and operate the hospital. Based on the evaluation results and the memorandum of understanding, we chose Intermountain Healthcare as our partner. Thanks to successful early fundraising, we were able to recruit community development officer Joanna Charnes.

In gratitude to our amazing Intermountain Park City Hospital, let’s thank everyone who worked tirelessly early on to make our community’s medical cornerstone a reality!

Wain Allen, Randy Belnick, Linda Blonsley, Beverly Boyna, Hal Cook, Vern Cooley, John Culberson, Bill Dubiel. Frances Dye, Gene Dye, Michael Gladson, Steve Hamilton, Shana Hopperstead, Alice Hummons, Joan Jacobson, Jan Jones-Schenk, Deb Kennedy, Kim Labertew, Noah Levine, Eldon Lloyd, Val Logsdon, Dondea Lykes, Jack Massimino, Kathleen McKenna, Brad Olch, Darrick Olsen, John Olson, Mitch Perkiel, Al Pokorny, Kathy Pope, Ken Richens, John Rosen, Beano Solomon, Tom Terry, Joe Tesch, Doug Toole, Dana Williams, Craig Wing

Considering my memory and a few remaining basic notes, I apologize if I have accidentally left anyone out of this list.

Shana Hopperstead

Jeremy Farm