Loyal Medical Center

Source: LOYAL CENTENNIAL BOOK (Loyal, Clark County, Wis.) 1870  - 1970

Contributed by the Loyal Public Library and Transcribed by Stan

The formal dedication of the Loyal Medical Center took place on Oct. 28, 1962. A program was held at the Loyal High School with Dr. Robert N. Larimer of Sioux City, Iowa, as principle speaker. An open house and tour of facilities at the Center followed. For more than a year interested residents had spent many hours in determining the advisability of a medical facility by surveying the city and surrounding area regarding medical services required during the previous 12 months period, and correspond with the Sear Roebuck Foundation engaged in Community Medical Assistance. This Foundation prepared the survey material and gave valuable advice. Blueprints, specifications for building and architectural advice were also given by the Foundation at no cost to the community. The Foundation evaluated the survey taken locally and their determination was that the community needed and could well afford a medical center. Important steps in the planning and development stages included the survey taken by members of the Loyal Women's Study Club, the signing of petitions by several hundred residents, stating their desire for a community meeting to vote on construction of a medical center, the holding of this meeting where 204 of 210 persons in attendance voted approval of construction, the election of executive officers: President, Thomas Wepfer; Vice President, Elmer Sterr; 2^nd Vice President, Byron Zepplin; Treasurer, Paul Davel; and Secretary, w. W. Trindal, and a fund drive to finance the approximate cost of $45,000.

Social events and door to door soliciting resulted in pledges of $41, 241 through certificates of indebtedness issued at $25 each. Inters of 2% per annum to be paid until all indebtedness could be retired. Stock in the facility was also purchased and donations were received.

Actual construction began in May of 1962 and was completed in August. Stratford Building Supply Inc. was the general contractor. It provides facilities for 2 doctors, including examining rooms, a laboratory, nurse's station, emergency room and a waiting room. The floor plan is completed in a circular arrangement. The building, one of the most attractive in the city, is located on Elm Drive, East. The land was donated by Elmer Sterr.

Dr. Bahri O. Gungor, M. D. who is the practicing physician in the clinic, moved to Loyal in 1962 from Vienna, Va. He received his degree in 1952 from the Medical Faculty of Istanbul, turkey and was born in Bulgaria. In 1964 the Gungor family moved to Neillsville, where Dr. Gungor is on the Neillsville Clinic staff. He has office hours at the Loyal Medical Center from 2 to 5 on Monday and Wednesday. Dr. C. Ozturk, surgeon, also with the Neillsville Clinic, is at the Loyal Center on Friday at the same hours. Mrs. Alice Hannan is receptionist at the center.