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Governor Steve Beshear was in Flemingsburg Sunday to help the community celebrate the grand opening of the new Fleming County Hospital. While there, Beshear announced a half-million dollar recommendation he would soon make to help the hospital purchase new radiology equipment for the $28 million facility.

“Hospitals like this are of critical importance,” Beshear told a crowd of nearly 400 that gathered near the main entrance of the hospital for the grand opening celebration. “I’m here to help you celebrate and to share something else.”

Beshear then unveiled his recommendation for $500,000 of funding through the Appalachian Regional Commission to purchase radiology equipment for the facility, including MRIs and other radiological equipment.

“This will improve and help expedite the services for Fleming Countians,” he said.

Beshear was the Keynote speaker during a ceremony that featured several.

Pat Price, a native of Cowan and the Assistant County Attorney of Fleming County, introduced the Governor.

Beshear praised the beautiful songs performed during the opening ceremonies by members of the Golden Chord Singers and said, “The Lord is smiling on Fleming County,” in acknowledgment of the beautiful music.

He additionally praised the devotion of Price, his friend and colleague of 40 years, as he began speaking.

He told of how Price had went knocking door to door as part of one of his earliest campaigns and how during that time Price had been bitten by a dog.

“Pat lived,” the governor said with a smile. “But the dog died,” he added to the laughter of those assembled.

The ceremony was light-hearted and pleasant and though held under the roof of the main entrance area with a spacious tent added to cover a portion of the crowd, the day was sunny and added to the cheerful atmosphere.

Funding for the 71,000 square foot, state of the art facility, was made possible through $21 million worth of low interest loans from USDA Rural Development. The hospital board was able to fund an additional $6.6 million, including a $1 million amount from the estate of the late Ruby Adams.

Members of the American Legion donated a flagpole and flag and raised the flag at the beginning of the two-hour ceremony.

David Sirk, Chief Executive Officer of Fleming County Hospital praised the efforts of the Board members and members of the staff who worked tirelessly to achieve the goal of seeing the spacious building opened.

Past hospital CEOs: Mark Armstrong and Carol Dozier were also on hand to help celebrate.
Armstrong was at the helm when the building was in the initial planning phases and Dozier led the hospital during the transition of planning to construction.

Beshear called Fleming County a “county on the move.”

Armstrong categorized all the positive aspects of the building and the county by simply saying “the people are what made Fleming County so great for us.”

All praised the efforts of Board of Trustees Chair Ruth Rankin. Rankin’s vision and leadership has been an anchor for health care at the hospital throughout the planning and construction process.

The hospital originally opened on Sept. 18, 1962 with 22 beds.