Choctaw General Hospital's Chapel Dedication Celebrates Generous Contributions of Community Members and Employees

Nov 3, 2017

BUTLER, AL - Employees of Choctaw General Hospital joined community members and representatives from Rush Health Systems at a dedication ceremony held today to formally unveil the new fixtures and furnishings in the chapel at the hospital. The new additions and special furnishings were made possible through the generosity of community members and employees.

“Our chapel, although new, was somewhat stark. It needed warmth in the form of more comfortable furniture and décor that provide a sense of healing, peace and solace. You could say our project was more an uplift than a facelift. We are so grateful to everyone who provided these beautiful, meaningful items and the funds to make these improvements,” said J.W. Cowan, Administrator at Choctaw General Hospital, which opened in April, 2012.

Cheri Barry, Executive Director of The Foundation for Rush thanked everyone involved in the project and unveiled a bronze plaque placed in the chapel to commemorate the completion of the project.

“We want to thank our community members named on the plaque who generously provided financial contributions and furnishings: Dr. Edward Scott, Mrs. Treobye Utsey, The Family of Tom and Ruth Luenser (who also donated the large, beautiful bible), Wayne and Lanelle Turner (who gifted the lovely, antique stained glass window from their private collection as well as a great deal of time, construction and planning assistance). These new furnishings and lighting have made this room a beautiful place for solitude and prayer.  

We most assuredly want to thank our Rush employees who generously contributed to this project via the GEM Club for your generous gifts to The Foundation.  

The GEM Club is made up of Rush Health Systems employees who provide contributions and other assistance to The Foundation for Rush. It is very exciting and rewarding to have this project, which was suggested by a group of the GEM Club members, completed. All of these gifts of time, talent and treasure came from the hearts of people who wanted to help others find peace when dealing with health and personal issues. Your generosity truly speaks to opening words of the Rush Creed, ‘I am my brother’s keeper.’ Thank you all so much,” said Barry.

Rush Health Systems is the largest, most diverse medical system in East Mississippi and West Alabama. With a 102-year legacy of medical innovation, quality care and service to others, Rush Health Systems is comprised of 7 hospitals and 26 primary care clinics, with 250 staff and contracted physicians and 95 advance-practice providers. Rush is the largest non-governmental employer in the region. Rush Health Systems includes Rush Foundation Hospital in Meridian, MS; The Specialty Hospital of Meridian, MS; Medical Foundation, Inc., Laird Hospital, Union, MS; H.C. Watkins Hospital, Quitman, MS; Scott Regional Hospital, Morton, MS; John C. Stennis Memorial Hospital, DeKalb, MS, and Choctaw General Hospital in Butler, AL. For more information, please visit rushhealthsystems.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter