EMH achievements
EMH Regional Healthcare System entered 2008 on the heels of a great year, bringing about several notable accomplishments for the hospital.

That was the news more than 100 heard Wednesday night when EMH held its annual company meeting at Gates Auditorium. Kevin C. Martin, president and CEO, and Kevin Flanigan, chairman of Comprehensive Healthcare of Ohio Inc., addressed the audience with positive news about EMH, which will celebrate 100 continuous years of operation this year.

“Our continued performance of positive income from operations enabled us to strengthen our balance sheet for future investment in technology and facilities to better serve the community,” Martin said. “We have been advised that our level of earnings and our cumulative financial strength continue to make us an ‘A’-rated credit in the financial marketplace. Being a worthy credit is essential to our growth ambition and is very important to our continued independence as a health care system.”

Some of EMH’s major accomplishments cited by Martin and Flanigan:

– It was named for the 11th time one of the “100 Top Hospitals” by Thomson Healthcare.

– It was named a magnet facility by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program.

– It has received full accreditation as a chest pain center by the Society of Chest Pain Centers.

– EMH’s laboratory accreditation was renewed by the College of American Pathologists through October 2009.

– It was named a NorthCoast 99 “Top Employer” for the seventh consecutive year.

– Drs. Charles O’Shaughnessy and Ruben Escuro were recently voted by peers as two of the best physicians in America. They were recognized in the March 2008 issue of Cleveland Magazine.

Who’s got the best pizza?
When it comes to pizza, taste beats 23-cent promotions.

More than 500 pizza lovers gathered in a makeshift parlor April 22 in the showroom of Abraham Ford to sample the fare of seven Elyria pizza vendors.

Angelina’s, East of Chicago Pizza, Georgio’s, Hungry Howie’s, Pizza Pan, Romeo’s and Belacino’s participated in The Elyria Sunrise Rotary Club’s Seventh Annual Pizza Challenge.

The challenge was two-fold. Patrons purchased a ticket that entitled them to sample all the pizza they could eat. They were then asked to vote for the “best pizza overall,” “most original pizza,” “best crust” and a new category this year, “best children’s Pizza,” which included samples of macaroni and cheese and a peanut butter and jelly variety. East of Chicago was the big winner, taking home the best overall title and best children’s pizza.” Angelina’s was awarded most original, and Hungry Howie’s served up the best crust.

At the end of the event, Elyria Sunrise Rotary purchased the remaining 70 pizzas and donated them to feed homeless people in Lorain County.

The money raised will help fund the Elyria Sunrise Rotary’s many community service projects, including the Child Seatbelt Safety Program, Little League South, Franklin School Adopt-a-Class, Santa House on Ely Square and others.

Woman celebrates 100th birthday
One local woman celebrated a milestone Tuesday few achieve.

Surrounded by family, Clara Gray, born on May 6, 1908, celebrated her 100th birthday.

A seamstress by trade, Gray attended Wilberforce College in the 1940s. During World War II, Gray joined the armed services and eventually went on to become a secretary for the Women’s Army Corps (WAC). Members of the WAC were the first women other than nurses to serve within the ranks of the United States Army.

Gray married Raymond Gray, enjoying more than 58 years together. During that time, the couple fostered more than 25 children, adopting three of them.

Gray lived in Elyria for more than 60 years on West River Road before moving into Wesleyan Village several years ago. Her accomplishments as an Elyrian led to her being named Woman of the Year in 1958. This was an honor bestowed upon her after years of hosting teen dances and giving out scholarships in the 1950s to deserving young people.

Gray was an organist and piano player for two local churches (Jones Chapel and Seventh Day Adventist Church.) She is now in hospice care at Wesleyan Village, but her family is overjoyed that she has given so much to not only them, but also countless others during her time here.

“She was just the most loving person and would do anything for anyone,” said Paul Hill, an adopted son. “We made all of our clothes because she was a seamstress, but she would also do that for anybody in the neighborhood to just make sure no one went without.”

Author of mysteries gives talk at library
Fans of Kathryn Wall’s mystery series featuring Bay Tanner are invited to hear the author speak at 1 p.m. May 31 the West River Branch Library.
Originally from LaGrange, Wall’s eighth Bay Tanner mystery, “The Mercy Oak,” was released last month.

She will present a brief talk and question and answer period, and she will sign copies of her book. For more information on Kathyrn Wall’s books, visit www.kathrynwall.com.

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