David Ruskowski, president, recounts Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Crown Point’s history, growth and accomplishments Dec. 8 during a Mass in the Corpus Christi Chapel to conclude the celebration of the hospital’s 40th anniversary year. Ruskowski, who has been in his position seven years, told of how the local community decades ago united in the desire for a hospital close to home and worked toward that end with the Sisters of St. Francis to achieve it – from two floors at the outset to seven floors today. “There has been so much good growth here, with the highest level of services, which always are state-of-the art,” he said, adding, the hospital annually has 10,000 inpatient and 350,000 outpatient encounters and delivers nearly 1,700 babies.
“The folks who work here follow our mission to, ‘Continue Christ’s Ministry in Our Franciscan Tradition,’ guided by our Franciscan values. They are our heart and soul and need to know that no matter what their role, they are loved and appreciated every day, even if we don’t always say it,” Ruskowski said. Shown to his right are James Etter, chaplain; William Sayre, deacon; and the Rev. Anthony Janik, director of spiritual services, who led the Mass and is one of the hospital’s original members.