Boca Raton Regional Hospital Celebrates 50th Birthday
By: Bryanna Basilio
Boca Raton Regional Hospital celebrated its 50th birthday on Monday July 17. What originated from tragedy has saved countless of lives and offered the local community aid when needed.
In 1962, Gloria and Robert Drummond’s two young children, Debbie and James Randall, were fatally poisoned. Both children died as a result of the nearest medical center being 30 minutes away. The Drummonds concluded if the medical center had been closer, their children’s lives may have been saved.
The community rallied to build a hospital to ensure the nearest residents would have access to quality healthcare and life-saving emergency care whenever needed. The locals established the Debbie-Rand Memorial Service League, a name in memoriam to the deceased children, to raise funds for the potential hospital.
What began from bake sales to black-tie Balls, the community raised the funds to open the hospital in 1967, which became known as the “Miracle on Meadows Road.” Fifty years later, Boca Raton Regional Hospital remains one of the most advanced, tertiary medical centers in the state with 400 beds and more than 800 primary and specialty physicians on staff.
The celebration took place in the Cafeteria and Bistro from 11:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event had a throwback theme and featured special menu items with 1967 prices, top hits from the years and “groovy” decorations.
At 11:00 a.m., a commemorative photo of the Debbie-Rand Memorial Service League volunteers by the hospital’s pond was taken. The volunteers playing a vital role in the hospital’s inception.
The hospital’s vision continues to be the “preeminent regional leader in healthcare delivery and the hospital of choice for patients, physicians, employees, and volunteers.”
The vision is honest as Boca Raton Regional Hospital has a long list of achievements and awards. Boca Raton Regional Hospital was recognized in U.S. News and World Report’s 2016-2017 Best Hospitals listing as a Top Ranked Regional Hospital in the South Florida metropolitan area and the highest ranked hospital in Palm Beach County.
Also, for the second year in a row, Boca Regional earned the 2016/2017 Consumer Choice Award by National Research Corporation (NRC). Boca Regional was the only hospital in Palm Beach County to earn such a distinction in 2014, Boca Regional Hospital was also the recipient of the 2014 Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence for 10 years running and was named one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 by Healthgrades.
