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We want to hear your story
As Kadlec celebrates its 70th birthday this year, we want to hear your
“Kadlec Story.”Have you had an experience at Kadlec that changed
your life? Were you, or someone you know, born at Kadlec in 1944? Share your
story as we celebrate the impact Kadlec has made on our community over the past
70 years by visiting
We invite everyone to visit
the website, which includes an interesting array of history, videos and stories.
BEVERLEY RAFFETY HAS
lived in
the Tri-Cities since 1944. Through
the years, the active 82-year-old,
who loves karate, has experienced
signi cant need for health care: Some
have been moments of joy and some
while facing serious health issues.
Her children were born in 1953,
1957 and 1960.
In 1968, at age 36, she had
carotid artery surgery following a
stroke. When she was 76, she had
open heart surgery for a heart
dissection, which was followed by
colon cancer surgery. She also had
a granddaughter who delivered
a premature baby and needed
important neonatal intensive care.
For each of these, her
hospital of choice for care was
Kadlec Regional Medical Center.
“I was so pleased to be able to
have surgeries here at home, with
family here,” she said. “I really have
appreciated [Kadlec] for being here
when I needed it, for all my surgeries,
my babies and now for my whole
family.
“It seems like for every medical
need, Kadlec has been able to handle
it. I just want to thank you very much.”
Kadlec was ready
whenever there
was a need
—Continued from front cover
Celebrating
70 years
the growth of the region, Kadlec’s
own growth, in turn, has helped play
an important role in the economic
development of the community. What
began 70 years ago with just 11 people
on sta now totals more than 2,500.
Kadlec Health System is one of the
largest employers in the community.
Throughout it all, Kadlec has been
changing lives.
Our story, your story
Our story of 70 years is your story,
too. It’s about being there when
you need health care. Sometimes
it’s been during times of joy, such as
the birth of a baby. Sometimes it’s in
times of emergency, when important
critical care has been just moments
away. Sometimes it has been getting
important hospital services such as
rehabilitation therapy or diagnostic
tests. Sometimes it’s about compassion
when facing di cult decisions or
situations. It’s been about getting care,
including highly specialized care, close
to home.
Certainly much has changed
at Kadlec these past 70 years. But
through it all, our commitment
remains, to provide the residents of
the Tri-Cities area the highest level of
care possible.
January 1944
Hospital construction begins
1940
Population of
Richland Village 200
July 1944
Opening of Kadlec hospital
with sta of 11
March 1945
Population of
Richland Village
15,401
Tracing our story of
changing lives
Spread throughout this issue
is a timeline of major events in
the Kadlec story. To read a more
in-depth history of Kadlec, visit
.
1940
Beverley Ra ety
