New pavers dedicated to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital entryway

ALBANY — The Phoebe Foundation hosted its annual paver dedication ceremony Thursday, a celebration of life meant to recognize the past year’s addition of more names to the paver bricks on the exterior walkway between the main entrance to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital and the hospital’s tower entrance.

Eleven people were honored and 54 others remembered with bricks that were placed on the walkway after the ceremony. Twenty-five Phoebe employees who have retired with 25 or more years of service also received recognition.

Among those remembered was Jim Purks, a former Associated Press journalist, community advocate and chaplain at Phoebe who died earlier this year. Ri Lamb, a fellow hospital chaplain and minister at The Episcopal Church of St. John and St. Mark’s, spoke of his accomplishments as well as the commitments he had for Habitat for Humanity, veterans, those impacted by HIV/AIDS, the community’s youth and others in need.

She spoke fondly of his time as a chaplain.

“If Jim laid his hands on you and prayed for you, you never forgot it,” Lamb said. “I thank God for the mentor Jim was.”

Gary Rice, manager of security and emergency preparedness at Phoebe, gave recognition to the hospital’s retirees. Adding up all the years of service, the 25 retirees contributed a total of 848 years and developed a career — rather than simply taking a job — to help the organization grow.

“You don’t replace that overnight,” Rice said.

Phoebe Putney Health System President and CEO Joel Wernick said that, while the pavers represent different circumstances and emotions to different people, those at the dedication ceremony were united with the purpose of giving the pavers special meaning.

More than two decades ago, the paver walkway was established with a deliberate intention in mind.

“When this space was being designed, it was designed to be an entryway to the hospital but also to be a gathering place,” Wernick said.

The bricks provide a way to memorialize a family member, recognize the birth of a baby or give thanks to a special person. Each spring, the dedication ceremony recognizes those who have added new bricks in the name of someone they wish to honor with a paver brick of their own.

Individuals can add to the walkway with a brick inscription of two or three lines for a gift of $75. Proceeds of the paver program go toward Phoebe’s spiritual care services, which provides spiritual care for patients, family, visitors and staff through a pastoral care program.

For information on how to add a name to a paver, call the Phoebe Foundation at (229) 312-4483 or visit www.supportphoebe.org/phoebe-foundation/events/spring-paver-dedication/purchase-a-paver-brick.