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Photo by Mamie Mills, Special to the NavCo Chronicle.
Freestone Medical Center Hospital CEO, John Yeary, stated, “In Fairfield and Freestone County, this community has fought hard for its healthcare and hospital over the last 75 years. By comparison, since 2010 Texas rural communities have endured 26 rural hospital closures, more than any other state in the nation. This is just one of the many reasons we should celebrate the magnificent achievement of having a
healthcare system in our community for the past 75 years!”
The hospital hosted its Diamond Jubilee 75th Anniversary celebration on Friday morning. The public was invited and encouraged to join the hospital board, administrators, staff and various dignitaries as we celebrate 75 years of neighbors caring for neighbors. Fairfield Mayor Kenny Hughes, John Hawkins, president of the Texas Hospital Association, and John Henderson, president of the Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals (TORCH), attended the event with many other community leaders, and Gov. Abbot’s office has sent the hospital a commemorative document carrying the Seal of the Governor’s office celebrating FMC’s 75 years of service to this great community!
The Grand Band from Eagleland performed the National Anthem on the day, just prior to the
main event which will be the unveiling of the newly dedicated “J.H. Keller, M.D. Medical Building”,
“J.D. Crossno, M.D. Emergency Room” and “L.L. Bonner, M.D. Hospital” wings of the facility.
The wings are being named after Dr. John H. Keller, Dr. Leslie L. Bonner and Dr. Joe D. Crossno, long
time Freestone County physicians who are credited with working tirelessly to ensure the Freestone
community had access to quality healthcare and a hospital. “Men like Bonner, Crossno and Keller
inspired an entire generation of sons and daughters as well as countless others to follow in their
footsteps and enter the medical professions as physicians, nurses, technicians or administrators, “
said Mr. Yeary. With their dedication and sacrifice in mind, it is only fitting to honor them in this
manner.
Dr. John H Keller served the community beginning in 1955, with an office on the south side of the square in Fairfield. Keller was joined by medical school mate Dr. Joe Crossno in 1958. The two physicians were joined by Dr. Harold Moore, Doctor of Dentistry, who collaboratively built what later became known as Medical Arts Clinic.
Since the day Dr. Keller began his career in Freestone County, he was instrumental in leading the local medical staff by introducing bond issues, applying for grants to build the hospital and ultimately bringing forth Fairview Manor Nursing Home and forming the Fairfield Memorial Hospital District.
To say that Dr. John H. Keller was a major contributor to the healthcare of the citizens of Freestone County, is a true understatement.
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Glad to see those 3 physicians honored. Knew them well and staff when we had a home care and hospice staff in FAIRFIELD years ago.