Foundation Director Nancy Houska reading a poem

Greene County Medical Center presented the Tree of Life ceremony virtually this year due to the pandemic.

The Tree of Life is through the Foundation and it displays ornaments in memory of loved ones. Following comments from CEO Tracy Warner, Foundation Director Nancy Houska read a poem by Bonnie Dodd. The poem taleds about a loved one who passed away and wasn’t there in person during the Christmas season.

“…we wish you were here with us, but although you are not here in person, you’re embedded in our hearts. Our memory is our keepsake, with which you will never part. God has you in his keeping, I have you in my heart. So merry Christmas remembered ones, today and throughout the coming year. The love you shared with us will remind us that you were are always here.”

The ceremony ended with reciting the names of the 44 individuals that were symbolized from the ornaments on the tree. Each ornament was purchased for $25 and the funds go to the Foundation, which supports the medical center with patient centered items, updated equipment and technology needs, capital improvements and scholarships for graduating high school students who are entering the healthcare field.