by John Yeary – CEO
Freestone Medical Center
We’ve all been told that our name means everything. As a young boy, I can remember my Dad telling me that the only thing I truly had in life was his name. “Don’t dishonor the name” was always his admonition.
Names can tell us a lot about someone or someplace without even knowing the person or having ever stepped foot into the place. For example, I’ve never been to Niagara Falls. But pictures, stories and hearing from people who have been to the Falls gives me a very vivid idea of the majesty and magnitude of this wonder of God’s creation.
Names of people can be a bit trickier. Sometimes a person’s name can tell you their heritage. Names that begin with Mc or Mac denote some historical tie to Scottish ancestry. In our country, today, names often sound very unfamiliar, but when you speak with the actual person, you find them to be no different than you. Names of certain people even become revered over time – George Washington, Betsy Ross, Abraham Lincoln, Helen Keller. These names have become larger than life over time while these men and women would probably demur that he/she was just an “ordinary” person.
Other names, such as Benedict Arnold, connote a more negative memory due to his actions. While he no doubt believed he was acting patriotically, his actions and judgment ultimately have attached the term “traitor” and “turncoat” to his name for all time.
Still other names are synonymous with redemption and revival. Names such as Thomas Edison (inventor of the light bulb) and Harlan Sanders (founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken) has become associated with a never-give-up persona. Edison is quoted (paraphrased) as not having failed at all. He simply discovered a thousand ways NOT to make a light bulb. Sanders held many jobs (farmer, service station attendant, insurance salesman) before landing his famous chicken recipe and restaurant at the age of 40.
So, I ask again. What’s in a name?
In January 2017, Freestone Medical Center was “born” when Fairfield Hospital District and East Texas Medical Center decided to amicably end their relationship. For those who have been around Fairfield and Freestone County a while, I’m sure both names bring memories to mind – both good and maybe not so good. While we are located in the same location on Commerce and Newman in Fairfield, more than our name has changed.
There is a new spirit, a new mindset and a renewed commitment to you, our community to go with our new name. We are here for your primary health, hospital and emergency needs. From our physicians and other medical providers in our health clinic to our friendly and courteous staff in the hospital, we stand ready to care for you and your loved ones when you need medical services.
Our Health Clinic is open from 7:30 am to 8:00 pm, Monday through Friday each week. You can schedule appointments that meet your needs or walk-in for convenience care after 4:30 each week day. Laboratory and radiology tests are available by appointment, generally from 7:30am to 4:30 pm each week day. And, of course, our hospital and emergency department are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
We recognize that you have a choice when it comes to medical care for you and your family. Our desire and goal is to be THE hometown healthcare provider of choice for you and your family. I encourage you to give us a try. Come back “home” to Freestone.
