Few in Gloucester County history can match Dr. J. Harris Underwood's legacy for caring.
Founder Dr. J. Harris Underwood would have been proud last Saturday as the Woodbury hospital that bore his name celebrated "100 years of caring for your family" with the Inspira Health Network Foundation Gloucester County gala at the Bellevue in Philadelphia. There was record attendance of about 400.
Dr. Underwood graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 1905. He set up his first office behind Deen General Store in National Park and opened a second office in Woodbury in 1910.
Patients who needed to be hospitalized were transported to Philadelphia or Camden. A patient who required special care frequently wound up admitted to Dr. Underwood's home. His residence at times became a bit crowded.
Alcohol and noise-related problems became commonplace at the Columbia Inn, a hotel located at the corner of Broad St. and Red Bank Ave.
Dr. Underwood and his brother Amos, a dentist, shared a dream of building a hospital in Woodbury. They had the Columbia Inn demolished and purchased the entire block between Red Bank and Oak and built the hospital bearing the Underwood name.
Noted the Gloucester County Democrat newspaper, "The people of the city will rejoice at the use to which the corner will be put." Amen to that.
Underwood Private Hospital opened for business on Nov. 6, 1915 (actual anniversary date is Friday, Nov. 6). It had a six-bed capacity but, in an emergency, was able to accommodate nine patients. Dr. Underwood also continued to admit patients to his home. Amelia Hook, his nurse, lived behind the Underwoods on Red Bank. Sadie Underwood, the good doctor's wife, prepared meals for the patients in her home.
Mrs. Joseph Ryan was the hospital's first admission. Her son, Joseph, was delivered by Dr. Underwood. His crib was a laundry basket.
The New Wing was the first major addition in four years, containing an emergency room, drug room, waiting room, consulting room, and ward for six patients. There also was space allotted for Oram Kline Sr., Dr. Underwood's first assistant.
In recognizing Dr. Underwood's growing stature in the community, the newspaper wrote this in 1925: "Men gain reputation for various types of activities. Some men are great athletes, others gain fleeting fame in politics, some make success in business. Wealth is often sought and won.
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The lawyer and the members of clergy have high professional ranks.
"He who ministers to the ills of the community as a physician stands preeminent. The art of healing, as practiced by the physician, touches more than the physical body. It includes the spiritual. As a physician, Dr. Underwood has given himself, and endeared himself, as few men touch those about them."
Construction of a three-story hospital was completed in July 1927. Dr. Underwood consistently saw the need for additional growth, and increased beds to 27.
The Underwoods had one child, Dorothy Estelle. Dorothy and her husband, Joseph Livezey, had two children, June Patricia and James Harris. James attended the centennial ball as did his daughter, Dr. Heather Livezey, who like her great-grandfather, is a Jefferson graduate.
One story about Dr. Underwood making the rounds at the ball was the telephone located at the Underwood home that was connected directly to the hospital. The extension was 0100, still the main phone number for the hospital today.
Shortly after being on duty at the hospital bearing his name, Dr. Underwood suffered a heart attack and died on Nov.15, 1957.
Few in Gloucester County history can match Dr. Underwood's legacy for caring.
He delivered thousands of babies.
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Many merit kudos for their work at Underwood-Memorial/Inspira Medical Center Woodbury. But a special note of praise is due Marie Johnson, RN, who is in her 58th year as a hospital employee. She currently provides diabetes/blood pressure screenings at community events.
And no one has been around longer, or been a more devoted spokesperson for the hospital, than Dr. Bill Holdcraft, who turns a youthful 95 next March 17.
Bob Shryock may be reached at bshryock@njadvancemedia.com. Follow South Jersey Times on Twitter @TheSJTimes. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
