HAMPTON -- Last Thursday night (November 30, 2000), a tide of more than 275 people ebbed and flowed into the new Lafayette Road facility which houses Exeter Health Resources' CORE physician practice, HamptonHealth. It wasn't scheduled doctor visits, how ever, that brought them all there; rather, it was an eagerly anticipated open house which offered those who came an extra special reason to celebrate.

Organized in great part by Hampton Health Practice Manager Lori Gorman and Exeter Health Resources Director of Community Relations, Ron Goodspeed, the open house included a touching ceremony where the building was officially dedicated in memory of long-time Hampton physician, Dr. Charles B. Bailey. Doctor Bailey, who passed away almost two years ago, served his local community as a general practitioner for more than 40 years, beginning in 1939.

Present for the ceremony was Dr. Bailey's wife of 61 years, Virginia, who had traveled from her current home in Hyde Park, Vermont and was joined by their children and grandchildren in the holiday-embellished lobby of the facility.

During a reception held prior to the unveiling of a handsomely engraved plaque proclaiming the memorial dedication, the Bailey family members and the hundreds of others guests in attendance enjoyed refreshments, classical music and conversation with one another.

Also present were the professionals who staff the newly named Bailey Medical Building. Physicians, certified physicians assistants, a nurse practitioner, and administrative and office staff were on hand to meet and greet the people who stopped by during the open house. Throughout the event, guests toured the facility, and took advantage of free screenings for such medical concerns as blood pressure and bone density They also had an opportunity to sign up for a chance to win a six month membership to Synergy, another one of Exeter Health Resources' affiliates.

When it was time for the dedication to take place, Goodspeed offered a very warm welcome before asking his organization's CEO, Kevin Callahan, to come forward. In his remarks, Callahan said Dr. Bailey's "permanent commitment" to his patients, from "newborn to the most senior citizen," defined his 43-year legacy of providing medical care to the residents of the Seacoast area. Callahan said the Bailey Medical Building would "reflect upon and honor the 1egacy, he has left," and that it will always "represent his commitment to the rest of the community."

The reading of an official proclamation by State Senator Beverly Hollingworth followed Callahan's remarks. When she completed that honorable task, Sen. Hollingworth told her listeners, "I knew Dr. Bailey; he was so dedicated to this town." In his comments that came after the reading, Hampton Town Manager James Barrington, while admitting he did not personally know Dr. Bailey, said he understood the physician to be "an absolutely wonderful person." Barrington added, "I am happy to have this facility right in my neighborhood."

Then, while everyone present looked on, Virginia Bailey reached up and pulled away a length of black fabric that veiled the plaque, which was resting on a wooden easel. A round of applause was heard as an engraving of Dr. Bailey's face and the dedication message was revealed. Visibly moved, his widow expressed her appreciation with smiles and a few tears, at one point reaching out to tenderly brush her fingertips over her husband's image captured on the plaque, with the following dedicatory words:

"I think it's wonderful," Virginia Bailey said of the honor of having the Bailey Medical Building named after her husband. "Dr. Bailey, many years ago, said 'wouldn't it be nice to have such a building.' He would be so proud to have his name connected with it. It's a great honor." The couple's children and grandchildren are of the same opinion, she adds. "They, too, feel very proud this is happening."

"It was a very moving moment with Mrs. Bailey," said Site Manager Laurie Shea. "It was a wonderful evening, [and] nice for the community." Shea added that many of the people who attended the event said they did so because they especially wished to visit with Mrs. Bailey and members of the Bailey family

Along with lauding the professional medical staff that has been busy welcoming both new and established patients to their practices in the Bailey Medical Building, Ron Goodspeed commented that the facility provides "six individuals who represent a lot of experience" in one centrally located office. "It's the first time we've had such a complete facility in Hampton, and we're very excited. It's an asset to the town."

HamptonHealth offers X-ray and lab services, and will soon he offering mammography service as well. The professional medical staff includes James Glennon, MD, who also serves as medical director of Exeter Health Resources' Core Physician Services; Andrew Kunkemueller, MD; Robert Millstein, MD; Ralph Falk, MD; Kathleen Kelly, MD; James Dolan, DPM; Carolyn Pappas, PAC; Patricia Pangan, MD; Kari Weeder, ARNP; and Bridget Bettencourt, PAC, MHS.

Practice Manager Lori Gorman emphasized at the dedication that "the physicians are looking forward to settling into the community, and meeting the needs of the community."

Meeting those needs was something to which Dr. Charles Bailey was fully committed during his 40+ years as a dedicated family physician.

"He would be so happy" to see that commitment carried on, said Virginia Bailey "His patients were [always] part of his family".