Quite a year for Cole Memorial

Charles Cole Memorial Hospital CEO David Acker had a difficult task at the recent annual corporation meeting.

He was called upon to summarize the accomplishments at Cole over the past 12 months. As he gathered his thoughts and collected information, his list continued to grow and grow.

By meeting time, he had come up with more than 40 significant developments to share with corporation members, directors and guests.

Among the highlights:

. becoming the region's only comprehensive cancer care center, through the addition of radiation oncology;

. recruitment of qualified professionals in oncology, pediatrics, general surgery, psychiatry, family practice, anesthesiology and other specialties.

. a cooperative cardiology arrangement

with Arnot Ogden Hospital in Elmira, N.Y., bringing cardiologists to Cole and providing consulations 24/7.

. opening of a new sleep center, wound care center and wheel chair clinic;

. receipt of federal funding for a diabetes disease management program.

. impressive s c o r e s in patient

satisfaction surveys: cardio-pulmonary, 97 percent; laboratory, 99 percent, inpatient rehabilitation, 98 percent; obstetrics, 96 percent; intensive care, 92 percent; mammography, 93 percent.