Celebrating 100 Years of Community Service
In Ashtabula County, cancer is the second leading cause of death and there was a time when many patients had to travel out of the county for their cancer care. Today, patients and families can stay close to home thanks to UH Seidman Cancer Center locations at both UH Conneaut and UH Geneva Medical Centers. In celebration of UH Conneaut Medical Center’s centennial, the hospital is raising funds to expand cancer care in Ashtabula.
History of a Community Hospital
UH Conneaut Medical Center began as Brown Memorial Hospital with the donation of a mansion from the prestigious W. H. Brown Family. After a one-day “Help the Hospital” fundraiser garnered $40,000 in donations and an additional $40,000 was raised in matching funds, the hospital officially opened its doors on April 11, 1922. Conneaut native and World War I Army Nurse Jessie June Hubbard served as the hospital’s first administrator until her retirement in 1942.
Over the years, the hospital expanded into a 25-bed, federally-designated Critical Access Facility, signifying its vital importance in providing emergency care as well as routine medical and surgical care, to families throughout the region.
UH Conneaut Medical Center joined the University Hospitals system in 1997. Today, the location offers care in more than 25 medical specialties and continues to play an integral role in the well-being of the Conneaut community and throughout Ashtabula County.
A Centennial Celebration
This year marks the 100th anniversary of UH Conneaut Medical Center’s service to the community. Although much has changed in health care since the hospital opened its doors in 1922, the vital role UH Conneaut Medical Center has in ensuring high-quality care minutes from home remains the same. In celebration of its centennial, the hospital is raising funds to support the expansion of UH Seidman Cancer Center at UH Conneaut and UH Geneva medical centers to ensure patients receive advanced, specialized care for their cancer diagnoses close to home.
The total cost to expand cancer services in Ashtabula County is more than $500,000. An initial gift of $150,000 from The Ashtabula Foundation helped to kick-start the project in 2018. With subsequent gifts from The Kendall Foundation and donations from the community, just over $430,000 has been raised. Funds raised through the Centennial Celebration, presented by the Conneaut Foundation, will help close the gap.
“The continued support of the community, through both time and treasure, demonstrates that hometown care is just as important in 2022 as it was in 1922,” said honorary chairs Mike and Melanie Joslin. “We hope that everyone will join us to mark UH Conneaut Medical Center’s centennial and help us celebrate all of the tremendous care and compassion its caregivers provide right here in Ashtabula County.”
Event Details
Celebration Dinner
Saturday, October 22, 2022 | 6:30 p.m. New Leaf Event Center
Join us for the UH Conneaut Centennial Celebration Dinner, which includes dinner, dancing, program and entertainment. Sponsorship opportunities and individual tickets are still available.
Community Day
Sunday, October 23, 2022 | 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. UH Conneaut Medical Center
This free family-friendly community day will include food vendors, activities, carnival games, hospital tours, demonstrations from the Conneaut Police and Fire departments, Jungle Terry, free health screenings, community vendors and music by the Conneaut High School Band and Choir.
If you have any questions regarding sponsorship opportunities or event details, please contact Jenna Delost at Jenna.Delost@UHhospitals.org or 216-983-2200.