ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, March 3, 1991                   TAG: 9103020013
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

ONE MAN PERSEVERED TO GET HOSPITAL GRANT

The New River Current on Feb. 21 had an article about the first patient in the present Radford Community Hospital and the first baby born there. First, there had to be a hospital.

Due recognition should be given to the one person who, almost single-handedly, was responsible for getting a federal grant to help build the present hospital. The Radford city authorities worked on funding, but gave up. The late John Marshall Goldsmith, a Radford lawyer, persisted until he succeeded in securing funds for both the hospital and the recreation building.

Few people are left who remember the facts about the start of the present hospital. I am 87 years old and have talked with a few people in Radford who do remember that far back. Dr. Rufus DeHart had been largely responsible for the small hospital on Tyler Avenue, but with the coming of the Army Ammunition Plant, the need for a much larger facility became apparent. That was when Mr. Goldsmith became involved.

Perhaps none of the present hospital personnel can remember the beginning. Perhaps they need to delve more thoroughly into initial efforts to secure a hospital for Radford.\ Nona Smith\ Radford 


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