Today in Archbold History: North Tower Officially Dedicated

April 15, 2012

North Tower Officially Dedicated

After years of planning and the largest construction effort in hospital history, the North Tower was completed in the Spring of 2012. At the conclusion of several celebrations and community events, the North Tower was officially dedicated on April 15, 2012, thirteen years ago today.

Archbold’s North Tower was a transformational undertaking that reshaped healthcare at Archbold and in our community. The eight-story addition substantially increased operating space and brought about modern replacements for the Emergency Department, Surgical Department, Intensive Care Unit, and other key hospital services. The 1,200 tons of locally purchased steel and 51,300 terra cotta tiles were just some of the materials required to complete the monumental addition.

Community members gathered that Sunday afternoon for the dedication ceremony and tours of the North Tower. Speakers included Perry Mustian, President and CEO of Archbold Medical Center; Dr. Gregory Patterson, South Georgia Surgical Associates; Dr. Clark Connell, Medical Director of South Georgia Emergency Medicine Associates; Dr. Karen Bramblett, Chief of the Archbold Medical Staff; and United States Senator Saxby Chambliss.

Earlier in the week, employee walk throughs were held to give Archbold team members a sneak peek of the completed project. That weekend, a Grand Opening Gala was held to celebrate the culmination of years of work and thank Archbold’s dedicated supporters.

Private support was integral to the construction of the North Tower, including a $16 million matching pledge given by the Adrian & Jessie Archbold Charitable Trust to support capital projects at Archbold. The Adrian & Jessie Archbold Charitable Trust represents the largest donor in Archbold’s history, having contributed more than $25 million since the trust was established in 1975.

Thanks to a gift from the trust, the North Tower was officially named the John F. “Jack” Archbold North Tower in the fall of 2014.

“It is fitting and proper that the North Tower addition to John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital be named in memory of the original donor, Jack Archbold—and serve as a lasting tribute to a man whose singular gift helped transform the level and quality of healthcare in South Georgia,” read the dedication program.

For those interested in continuing the century-long tradition of fervent community support of healthcare in our community, which was begun by Jack Archbold and continues today, please visit www.archbold.org/foundation.

For more Archbold historical facts and centennial information, please visit www.archbold.org/100.