News Releases

The anniversary capsule includes artifacts from the last 100 years.

HASTINGS, Mich., Sept. 18, 2023 – Corewell Health™ Pennock Hospital (Pennock Hospital) completed its summer-long 100th anniversary celebration with a time capsule ceremony. The hospital’s board members and staff gathered to share memories and historical stories created throughout the last 100 years.

“This ceremony represents the past, present and future of Corewell Health Pennock Hospital,” said Bill Hoefer, president of Pennock and Zeeland hospitals. “Undoubtedly, there will be many changes over the next 100 years. I truly believe the unwavering commitment and dedication of our hospital staff, board members and the communities we serve will remain the same.”

During the ceremony, Maggie Coleman, Pennock Foundation board chair, shared remarks about her connection to the hospital’s history. Coleman, her father and grandfather were previously members of Pennock Hospital’s board of directors. Coleman’s grandfather sealed a preceding time capsule into the hospital’s structure on June 11, 1950.

“I’m the third generation in my family to benefit from this vibrant health care facility and to take part in its evolution,” expressed Coleman. “I’m honored to be part of this special occasion at Pennock Hospital.”

The anniversary planning committee carefully selected a mixture of new and present-day items representing the conversations and hard work of many community members and staff who shared a common goal: to establish an equitable health care system in Barry County. More than a dozen pieces of memorabilia and historical artifacts were enclosed at the time of the ceremony, including:

• Barry County Medical Society meeting minutes dated 1919 to 1935
• Resolution and court documents transferring funds from the Barry County Loyalty League to the Barry County Hospital Association, Operating Pennock Hospital dated September 1922
• Trust Agreement dated March 1923
• Pennock Hospital medical staff meeting minutes dated Oct. 16, 1935, to May 1, 1936
• Pennock Hospital open house brochure dated May 20, 1951
• Pennock Hospital reorganization notification dated March 17, 1988
• Dissolution of the Pennock Hospital trust dated April 21, 1988
• Declaration of Integration: Pennock Healthcare System and Spectrum Health System dated April 15, 2015
• Spectrum Health Pennock 95th anniversary publication dated June 2018
• Spectrum Health Pennock Baum Family Surgery Center publication dated June 2018
• COVID-19 pandemic documents and test kit
• Pennock Hospital 100th Anniversary VIP Breakfast and Community Picnic invitations
• Proclamations and recognition from the City of Hastings, U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar and U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow
• The Hastings Banner featuring Pennock Hospital’s 100th anniversary celebration dated June 22, 2023
• The Hastings Reminder featuring Pennock Hospital’s 100th anniversary celebration dated June 24, 2023

The last item placed into the capsule was Doris I. Cappon’s volunteer smock. Cappon contributed $1.5 million to the Pennock Foundation. She was a member of the Pennock Hospital Auxiliary for many years and upon her death in 2003, the health career scholarship program was established in her name. Today, the Doris I. Cappon Scholarship fund assists individuals who wish to make a difference in health care.

The 100th anniversary time capsule can be found attached to the hospital’s historical wall, located just outside the Green Street Café. In the year 2073, during the hospital’s 150th anniversary, the time capsule will be opened to celebrate the importance and longevity of Corewell Health Pennock Hospital.

“The time capsule is a great reminder of the history of Corewell Health Pennock Hospital in our community,” said Don Haney, Pennock community board chair. “The items we have placed inside represent our history as well as our present. Anticipating its opening in 50 years signals the strength of Corewell Health Pennock Hospital well into the future.”

About Corewell Health™  

People are at the heart of everything we do, and the inspiration for our legacy of outstanding outcomes, innovation, strong community partnerships, philanthropy and transparency. Corewell Health is a not-for-profit health system that provides health care and coverage with an exceptional team of 60,000+ dedicated people—including more than 11,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and more than 15,000 nurses providing care and services in 21 hospitals, 300+ outpatient locations and several post-acute facilities—and Priority Health, a provider-sponsored health plan serving more than 1.3 million members. Through experience and collaboration, we are reimagining a better, more equitable model of health and wellness. For more information, visit corewellhealth.org.

Contact:
Alexis Bolo Neal
Senior Communications Specialist
Email: alexis.boloneal@corewellhealth.org