Meeting Notes and Club News Wednesday, September 26, 2001
Volume 61, Issue 11		Written and reported by Buck Catlin

ST. JUDE MEDICAL CENTER EXPANSION PLANS

CEO Bob Fraschetti describes current and long range plans for enlargement and medical technology improvements to meet growing needs for No. Orange County clients. Land use, traffic and financial challenges to be faced by all segments of the community are highlighted. More in the PROGRAM section.

Prez Peloquin opened the meeting and called Chris Hunt to do the honors with the Flag Salute. Appropriately, "My Country Tis of Thee" and "Smile" with Jim Young, Bob Savage, Ray Ashcroft and Prez Peloquin led the brethren with Mick Oates at the Steinway.

Buck Catlin piped the Rotarians to attention with a Bos'un's Call. He related a recent incident at sea in the North Atlantic when a German destroyer rendered full dress passing honors to an American destroyer by flying the United States ensign at its half staff with a sign painted on the side "WE STAND BY YOU". It was an emotional moment for the American crew indicating the unity now among free nations.

INTRODUCTIONS:

VISITORS: Bernie Dunlap, Brea with guest Dave Merit; Louis Koff, Fullerton Sunrise; David Choye Fullerton Sunrise.

GUESTS: Hubert Wong, son-in-law of Frank Kawase; Henry Jones, guest of Ray Hansen

ROTARIAN OF THE WEEK: Bill Schenk, for organizing and maintaining the continuity of the weekly Rotagram.

INDUCTION OF A NEW ROTARIAN: Alan Atwell and Vern Andrews presided over the induction of Jim Lapak into the Rotary Club of Fullerton. Vern led off by summarizing what he liked about Rotary, "People. While I was at Hughes absorbed daily in office work, I could look forward Wednesdays . I did a lot of traveling internationally. One day in England I took a cab to an advertised Rotary meeting place. When we got there, the place had been torn down. When the driver found I was a Rotarian he told me of the good work Rotary was doing in the world, and drove me to another site in the city where a Rotary Club was meeting -- without charge!" Welcome to Jim, who is Executive Director of the Fullerton YMCA. A fine addition to our Club. Make a point to welcome him personally.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Phil Silverman's October 13th Laughlin Air Coach trip. Time to sign up.

Summit House 10th Anniversary Dinner-Thursday, September 27 benefiting St. Jude Medical Center Pediatric & Adult Health Vans.

YWCA Week Without Violence -- October 14-20 an international campaign to focus on creating awareness and peaceful alternatives to violence.

Debra Koff is now in charge of Care and Comfort. Get in touch with her at koffd@msfpv.com

RAFFLE WINNER: Ken Kaisch #7050. Very erudite guy. Won $60 outright by knowing that Greenland is the largest island on Earth and it is a province of Denmark.

CELEBRATION OF ROSH HASHANAH (Jewish New Year) Nate Kvetny recited for us the principles of Judaism calling for thought and prayer. Our religions should bring us closer in love and mutual respect. Truth, trust and faithfulness will guide us in the pursuit of peace.

PROGRAM: Bob Fraschetti and Bernie Dunlap from St. Jude gave an excellent overview of the prodigious enlargement planned at the Hospital. The Mission is "To build a hospital for tomorrow for the neighbors of today. " The key building on the site is a new Southwest Tower which will contain an enlarged cath lab, emergency facilities, ICU capacity, labor and delivery rooms ( St. Jude does 200 deliveries per month!), NICU, post-partum facilities to meet the demands of the changing nature of surgery. Outpatient surgeries now prevail over classic hospital admission surgery procedures. A 420 parking space structure east of the present buildings will be built. Presently, about 200 employees are bussed daily from space rented from Evangelical Free Church on Bastanchury Road. Medical Service Building plans (across Harbor Boulevard) on the southeast corner of Valencia Mesa and Harbor. A bridge will join the two complexes on the east and west side of Harbor. Endoscopy is a growing medical health procedure and larger facilities are planned to meet the 6-8 weeks waiting time for appointments. Land acquisitions are in process.. Financing, traffic, and seismic retrofits are on-going problems. Bob believes that St. Jude has the financial strength and community support in the long term to make these important community health advances possible.

Upcoming Programs:

10/3 John Taylor Oral Surgeon
10/10 Greg Franklin Fullerton H.S. Update