Gila Regional Medical Center outgoing Chairman Charles Kelly passes gavel to new Chairman Jeremiah Garcia.

By Margaret Hopper

Gila Regional Medical Center's board of trustees met Friday, June 24, at noon to finish business
for the fiscal year and vote in another board chairman to replace outgoing Charles
Kelly, who has given more than five years of service, since January, 2011. Dr. Victor
Nwachuku, vice chair, read the framed resolution and presented it to Kelly. Other
trustees were quick to voice their comments for Kelly's efforts.

Kelly responded that it hadn't been an easy five years; not only were there many
challenges, he himself had been a patient, at times, receiving cancer treatment.
But he had been to the meetings. He committed to this and kept his word. In the
process, he had made friends; he had received much from this association.

He said he was well aware Gila Regional was not a research hospital or a trauma
unit, but staff had worked together to do a lot of other things; they delivered babies
and made people comfortable and kept them safe. He appreciated that. Keeping the
hospital going was important work and it had been his pleasure to help with that.

Dr. Donald Stinar also received a framed resolution recognizing his past three years as
trustee and said that he hadn't seen all the changes he hoped for Gila Regional, but he had committed and kept his word. Others noted that he had been on the board before
and there was a chance they might get him back for another period of service.

Five GRMC employees received plaques recognizing their years of service. Roberta
Lee Rice had 30 years of service in quality and safety, and Becky Estrada was
recognized for her 25 years in laundry service. Three more with 15 years each in
their departments were also given plaquesG