MacKinlay’s vision provides lasting legacy Editor’s note: This story originally appeared in a special Banking on the future They needed to raise more than $100,000. It became a section produced by the FCMC Foundation for the Medical constant round of meetings – traveling to Harrisburg for Center’s 65th birthday celebration in 2015. federal and state funds, which weren’t given, to asking the community again for help. n 1946, Dr. Edgar H. MacKinlay began to confide with A $30,000 mortgage was signed, and a demand note of friends about his vision for a medical facility – a “small an additional $25,000 was signed by 15 directors, who were hospital big enough to handle emergencies and mapersonally liable for its payment. They had faith in the deterternities” – explaining its importance and the difference it mination of the community. would make between life and death. Meanwhile, an Auxiliary spawned from the Green Hill Civ It fell on deaf ears to many people and area organizations. ic Club and they went to work with fundraisers – they even There was one group, however, that listened to his plea on had a radio contest. Miss Nell Barmont, RN, wrote an open letter to the residents of Fulton County that appeared in the Oct. 7, 1946: The Green Hill Civic Club. Dr. Edgar H. MacKinlay area newspaper, asking for their support, while reminding them not to take for granted the dedicated services of the Helen DeShong remembered that day physicians who were in the county. “I was sitting in his office as a patient that day,” said Helen DeShong, Donations began to trickle in more consistently. Soon they had some 96, who passed at age 100 in 2019. “He was so excited about that night traction for financing. because he was going to talk about his vision. He asked if I thought we would be able to help. I said I couldn’t make any promises because it was Vision to reality up to the group, but we were willing to listen.” On July 8, a contract for $70,000 was signed to build the structure. Groundbreaking took place on July 16, and the building was dedicated They agreed to consider his plea, and 10 months later, the first on Sept. 2, 1950, ironically on the last day of Fulton County’s 100th annifundraiser – a cake festival – took place, and the first gift was presented: versary. FCMC opened its doors on Oct. 4, 1950. $329.22. It was done without aid from the state or federal government; it was It was a flicker of hope. a Fulton County institution, conceived by Fulton Countians and built by MacKinlay convinced his new lawyer friend Albert Foster, who was Fulton Countians in the spirit of those who settled in the area. living in an apartment above his practice, to attend a meeting with him Today, a new facility sits on 90 acres of plush farmland and is the in February 1947 at the Fulton County Courthouse. jewel of Fulton County. It serves our rural community and surrounding Foster would later say he didn’t know what he was getting himself into areas with over 90,000 patient visits a year. – he would become campaign chair to build the first Medical Center. MacKinlay’s vision has left a lasting legacy. ■
I
1980s
1980
May 29, 1980: In a study of the center’s operations, MEDCO (Management Effectiveness and Development Consulting Organization) reported to Fulton County commissioners that FCMC was one of the most effective and efficiently run businesses they have come across.
1981 Nov. 18, 1980: FCMC marks 30th anniversary.
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FULTON COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER’S 70TH ANNIVERSARY
1982
June 30, 1980: Dr. James E. Witt, D.O. returned to private practice at 126 N. Second St.
1983 Jan. 15, 1983: Skilled nursing room rate was $55 per day.
1984
