Kelley’s Healing Garden

To the Editor:

What a joy it was for me to receive a copy of the Fayette County Visitors Guide for Fall/ Winter 2021 from a friend and read on pages 20 and 21 about St. Mark’s Medical Center being named among the Top 100 Rural and Community Hospitals in America.

This is indeed a stellar achievement the entire community can be proud of, especially in light of recent struggles regarding the viability of the hospital. I appreciated the fine article highlighting the various areas and levels of care provided by SMMC, and commend Mr. Mark Kimball, CEO, the staff and board on their outstanding leadership.

However, I did note an error on the picture caption on page 20, incorrectly identifying the garden in the center of the facility as “St. Mark’s Healing Garden.” The correct name of the garden is “Kelley’s Healing Garden,” given in memory of SMMC’s founding CEO, the late Kelley Oliphint. It was Kelley who had the vision for a facility wrapped around a healing garden, and named the facility “St. Mark’s” and poured out the last years of his short life to give SMMC the strong foundational start that has enabled it to become an award-winning hospital today. As his older sister, I was present at the naming ceremony of Kelley’s Healing Garden, which has given our family much comfort and hope. SMMC remains a fine tribute to Kelley’s leadership and legacy.

I am sure you will want to note this correction in your next edition of Fayette County Visitors Guide.

Thank you so much.

Mary Brooke Oliphint Casad

Sulfur Springs