Arcadia, Calif. (October 10, 2017) - The year was 1957. Dwight Eisenhower was President. Elvis Presley was King. A gallon of gas was 35 cents. A typical suburban home was priced at $20,000. Freeways were just beginning to emerge in Los Angeles. And our now beloved Dodgers still resided in Brooklyn.

Also in 1957, the San Gabriel Valley was preparing for the debut of what has become a true civic gem for the region with the grand opening of Methodist Hospital of Southern California in Arcadia.

“Walking through the halls of our hospital today, it’s hard to imagine that this major medical center with 348 beds began as a two-bedroom house in Los Angeles at the start of the 20^th century,” said Dan Ausman, President and CEO, Methodist Hospital, during a special Diamond Anniversary celebration at the hospital on Oct. 10 marking 60 years of service in the San Gabriel Valley.

.

Building on the foundation of its predecessors, Methodist Hospital today offers a variety of specialized treatments, and provides some of the most advanced health care services available. The hospital treats over 55,000 emergency room visitors each year, and cares for more than 16,000 inpatients annually in multiple medical disciplines including orthopedics, heart and stroke care, cancer care, obstetrics, wound care, acute rehabilitation and many more. Methodist Hospital also delivers 1,800 babies each year, and provides neonatal care for those infants in need.

A recent crowning achievement earned the by collective efforts of the hospital physicians, nurses and staff occurred when Medicare recognized Methodist Hospital with its prestigious 5-Star Award for providing high quality, safe care to patients. No other hospital in Los Angeles County earned this recognition, which places Methodist Hospital among the Top 2% of all hospitals in the nation.

“For any hospital to be successful – no matter its size – it’s not about the bricks or mortar or the high-tech equipment,” Ausman said. “Success depends on the individuals working in the organization and their commitment to caring for patients in their time of need. The work ethic, technical skill and dedication of our doctors, nurses and employees drive all of our successes every day. I am personally so proud of our entire hospital team.”

Joining in the Diamond Anniversary celebration for Methodist Hospital’s 60 years of service to the San Gabriel Valley are, from left, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Bill Grigg, Foundation President Mike Driebe, Arcadia Mayor Peter Amundson, Hospital Board Chair Bill Lewis, Former Hospital Board Chair Kathleen Ellison, President & CEO Dan Ausman, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Cliff Daniels, and Senior Vice President Chief Operating Officer Steve Sisto.