January 10, 2008
The Larry H Miller family and the Franklin County
Medical Center are excited to announce the donation of approximately 20
acres of land to the Medical Center. The property is located on Highway
34 approximately 1.5 miles north of the center of Preston.
The Medical Center originally approached the Miller
family about the possibility of purchasing this tract of land. The
Miller family’s response was an unexpected offer to donate the land.
The Miller family has expressed a keen and
continuing interest in our community. They own a second home in the
area and the extended Miller family enjoys spending time here. Millers
have previously made a substantial contribution to the Oneida Stake
Academy Restoration Project.
Franklin County Medical Center has been on its
current site for about 75 years and has conducted a number of
construction and remodeling projects during that time. In 2004 an
Architects assessment of our existing building concluded that:
“Though the building is quite well maintained,
it has significant inherent infrastructure, flow, and site concerns
that eliminate it as a good candidate for an addition or a major
remodel.”
This is largely due to outdated mechanical and
electrical systems, a national shift from inpatient to outpatient care,
emergency facility needs, and the presence of only one operating room
and one delivery room.
Due to severe overcrowding issues and these
“…significant inherent infrastructure, flow, and site concerns…”,
the Medical Center Board of Trustees has been studying and discussing
options for the future of the Medical Center in Franklin County
including looking for land for a new facility.
The Franklin County Medical Center Trustees and
Staff deeply appreciate the generosity, community spirit and dedication
to the cause of improving healthcare exhibited by the Miller family.
Mike Andrus, Administrator