RUSSELL, Ky. - Fifty years ago, a small group of Franciscan Sisters of the Poor worked to make the dream of Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital a reality.

In 1954, OLBH opened its doors with 92 patient beds and 40 bassinets. Today, OLBH is a 214-bed acute care facility with more than 1,200 employees.

"The hospital staff creates an atmosphere of spiritual comfort for patients and their families," said Jon McGinnis, Bon Secours Kentucky board of directors chairman. "They bring compassion to health care while administering medical excellence to the region."

The hospital's staff will pay tribute to its 50 years of caring for the community at various events throughout the year. A celebratory Mass service at Holy Family Church, Ashland, will be held during the summer.

A part of the Bon Secours Health System since 2000, OLBH features a medical staff of approximately 200 members representing a broad range of specialties and state-of-the-art equipment. On-campus facilities include the Ashland area's first Same Day Surgery Center, a cancer treatment center, the Vitality Center, a cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation center, a community wellness center, the Vascular Center, the Bellefonte Behavioral Health Center psychiatric and drug rehabilitation center and a 24-hour emergency room.

Additional services are offered throughout the community such as HomeCare Services, a Diabetes Center, a Mobile Health Center, plus four Outreach Centers providing primary care to residents in outlying areas.

The OLBH Diagnostic Imaging Center, located in Ironton, Ohio, features an "open" MRI services and is adjacent to the hospital's Urgent Care Center.

For information on OLBH,

visit

www.olbh.com or call the CareLine at (606) 833-CARE (2273).