EAMC Sponsorship

We are extremely pleased to announce that WBM has been selected by East Alabama Medical Center to receive sponsorship under their Cornerstone program.  WBM was one of many international service organizations considered for sponsorship.  After numerous presentations by those organizations and finally an on site visit, WBM was chosen because we met their requirements in the majority of categories considered.

EAMC will begin its sponsorship with an all EAMC volunteer team who will travel to Guaimaca, Honduras to work on the construction of the new hospital we are building there. (See Hospital Project)  They will be installing rough-in plumbing, preparing for the floor to be poured, and pouring the floor of the first section of the hospital.  While working on the project they will live in our volunteer living quarters, which is located on the construction site.

Following is an excerpt from the East Alabama Medical Center website which we know you will find interesting.

OPELIKA, AL)-For the second straight year, FORTUNE magazine has ranked East Alabama Medical Center as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" in America. Having debuted at #36 last year, EAMC cut that mark in half this year, rising to #18 on the list. Like last year, when EAMC became the first public-sector agency to make the prestigious list, the hospital is one of just two Alabama companies (ACIPCO in Birmingham is the other) named by FORTUNE www.fortune.com

Following last year's announcement, EAMC was inundated with requests from throughout the nation. Calls from media outlets, other hospitals and other businesses came in on a regular basis. Even other companies already on the list contacted the hospital seeking information on programs. The hospital also hosted several site visits during the year. Meanwhile, Terry Andrus, president, and other administrators were asked to speak at various conferences throughout the U.S.

Over the last 12 months, EAMC employees celebrated the original honor. A steak & shrimp dinner was held for all employees, volunteers and physicians last January. At that dinner, commemorative t-shirts were also distributed. In March, Milton Moskowitz, one of the co-authors of FORTUNE's article on the "100 Best Companies to Work For," visited EAMC to speak to various groups and visit with employees.

Other awards came EAMC's way in 2001."Top 100 Heart Hospital"-For the third straight year, Solucient named EAMC as one of the "Top 100 Heart Hospitals in the U.S." EAMC was one of just 20 hospitals nationwide to win all three years.

Alabama Quality Award-In recognition of EAMC's performance excellence in all phases of its operation, the Alabama Quality Award Program presented the hospital with the Program's highest honor-the Alabama Quality Award. A year earlier, EAMC won a Team Showcase Award from the AQA.

Friends of Children Award-Children's Hospital in Birmingham presented EAMC with a Friends of Children Award for the hospital's effort in improving the health care of children in east Alabama.

Premier Quality Award-EAMC received a Distinguished Performer award from Premier for its achievement in the care of open-heart patients. Premier ran a full-page ad in the December 26, 2001 issue of USA Today recognizing EAMC and five other hospitals nationwide.

Client Success Story Award-Press Ganey, an independent patient survey data collection agency, presented EAMC with a Client Success Story Award following the hospitals' consistent ranking in the mid-to-upper 90's for patient satisfaction. As part of its award, EAMC presented its success story at Press Ganey's annual client conference in Chicago last November. More than 1,000 people were in attendance.

EAMC's ranking on the FORTUNE list coincides with the hospital's 50th anniversary. Having opened on February 16, 1952, the Medical Center will celebrate its golden anniversary milestone next month. In addition to a celebration for current employees, physicians and volunteers, EAMC will host a party for people who played a key role in the hospital's history. A hardback book commemorating the first 50 years is also being published.

East Alabama Medical Center is a 314-bed general acute care hospital with a 38-bed skilled nursing facility which is owned and operated by the East Alabama Health Care Authority. The main medical campus is in Opelika, Alabama. Opelika, which is the county seat of Lee County, is located in southeast Alabama approximately 110 miles southeast of Birmingham, Alabama, 60 miles east of Montgomery, Alabama, and 100 miles southwest of Atlanta, Georgia. Opelika is adjacent to the city of Auburn, Alabama, site of Auburn University.