Baylor Alum Visits Vandalia Health’s Mon Health Medical Center, Honors Family Legacy
Posted Date: 12/4/2024
Baylor University alumnus William “Will” Telfer III made a special visit to Vandalia Health’s Mon Health Medical Center while in town for the West Virginia University (WVU) vs. Baylor football game last month. The visit held personal significance for Telfer, as his late father, William “Bill” Telfer Jr., served as an engineer in the construction of the original Monongalia General Hospital building, dedicated in 1977.
Telfer, an identity and authentication analyst at Baylor University in Waco, TX, toured the facility and reflected on his father’s contributions to the hospital's foundational design.
“Ever since West Virginia joined the Big 12, I’d always wanted to visit Morgantown for a WVU-Baylor game,” Telfer said. “It was something my parents and I talked about doing for years, and even though they’ve both unfortunately since passed away, I was still glad to be able to make the trip this year and tour the facility my father helped build.”
According to family birth records preserved by Telfer’s late mother, Becky Telfer, he was the third baby born at the original Monongalia General Hospital building in 1977.
“I was born in Morgantown, but I have no memory of it. My family moved out of state when I was just five weeks old. According to my Mom’s records and notes on my birth, I was the third baby to be born at Mon General Hospital and the first to be born to an employee who worked on the hospital’s construction,” Telfer said. “It was incredibly meaningful to me to be able to go back and visit the facility and see how my father’s work has stood the test of time and continues to make a difference in people’s lives.”
The 1977 building was notable for its innovative design, including a dual-corridor system that separated patient and visitor pathways, enhancing both privacy and comfort. This forward-thinking approach was among the first of its kind in the nation, setting a precedent for modern hospital design.
The hospital has since expanded and modernized, including the addition of the Hazel Ruby McQuain Tower in 2008 and numerous state-of-the-art facilities.
“We are delighted that Mr. Telfer took time during his trip to tour our facility. His visit serves as a poignant reminder of the many individuals who contributed to our hospital’s foundation,” said David Goldberg, President and CEO of Mon Health System and Davis Health System - Vandalia Health Northern Region, and Executive Vice President of Vandalia Health. “We are proud to carry forward his father’s legacy of innovation and dedication in the care we provide our patients at Mon Health Medical Center.”
For more information about Vandalia Health’s Mon Health Medical Center and its history, visit MonHealth.com.
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