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VALLEY, Ala.— On Jan. 20, 1950, Billy Joe Stewart became the first baby born at George H. Lanier Memorial Hospital. Now, both Stewart—who goes by Bill—and the Valley hospital, are gearing up to celebrate 75 strong years.  

Bill wasn’t the only Stewart to be born at Lanier, which was the first hospital built in the United States with funding through the Hill-Burton Act. His mother also gave birth to his siblings, Jeffrey and Sandra.  Years later, Bill’s wife, Arlene, would deliver both of their sons at the hospital.  

Since having his appendix removed as a teenager, Stewart has been very healthy and able to avoid any hospital stays himself. He has, however, returned frequently over the years for outpatient services, such as lab work and minor tests.  

This won’t be Stewart’s first celebration at the hospital. In 1960, he attended the hospital’s 10-year celebration as a guest of honor. At the event, Stewart received his first watch—a shiny new Timex—as a special gift. He later attended the hospital’s 50-year celebration in 2000. 

“I remember the 50th being a big thing held down at the Langdale Auditorium,” Stewart recalled. “A lot of people got together and talked about the hospital and what-not.” 

A self-described ‘ole country boy,’ Stewart is a lifelong resident of the area, having grown up in Riverview and still residing there. He attended Riverview Elementary and Middle Schools, as well as Valley High School. He recalls watching the community grow up over his time living in the area. 

“I remember when the interstate wasn’t finished yet, and where it goes under Highway 29 is where it ended in construction,” Stewart said. “I remember they had a big ribbon cutting, because it was the last section that connected Atlanta and Montgomery.”

At 17, Stewart joined the Marine Corps where he trained in South Carolina, North Carolina and California before serving in Vietnam for one year. Upon discharge, he moved back to the area and began a career as a mechanic and supervisor at West Point Stevens cotton mill and later worked for Kia. Today, Stewart spends his days gardening on his property and enjoying the quiet life of retirement.

Since 1950, a few things have changed at the hospital. In 2014, East Alabama Medical Center and Lanier Memorial Hospital affiliated, becoming known as EAMC-Lanier. Recently, the hospital became designated as a Rural Emergency Hospital, thereby continuing to provide the community with critical access to emergency care as well as outpatient services. The campus also boasts the EAMC-Lanier Nursing Home and the EAMC-Lanier Ambulatory Surgery Center.

“We are extremely proud of our hospital’s history of serving our community,” said Greg Nichols, administrator of EAMC-Lanier Rural Emergency Hospital. “We are honored to be our area’s trusted health resource, and it truly is incredible to see the impact of our services on families in our community across generations.”

In celebration of the hospital’s 75-year anniversary, East Alabama Health invites the community to a special open house ceremony on Thursday, Jan. 16, from 4 to 6 p.m. EST. Guests can take guided tours of the hospital and enjoy light refreshments.

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About East Alabama Health

East Alabama Health encompasses East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, EAMC-Lanier Rural Emergency Hospital in Valley, the Spencer Cancer Center in Opelika, the Auburn Medical Pavilion and a host of other key medical clinics and practices that help provide a continuum of care to patients throughout an 11-county area. EAMC is a 314-bed regional referral hospital that is currently under construction to add 30 critical care beds. EAMC-Lanier Rural Emergency Hospital provides emergency and outpatient services while its campus also features a nursing home and an ambulatory surgery center. East Alabama Health employs about 3,800 people and is the second largest employer in the region, trailing only Auburn University. For more information, visit www.eastalabamahealth.org.