The Antelope Valley Times

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AV Hospital celebrates 60 years

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There was fun for the entire family at Antelope Valley Hospital's 60th anniversary celebration held at the hospital for employees and their families. [contributed]
There was fun for the entire family at Antelope Valley Hospital’s 60th anniversary celebration held at the hospital for employees and their families. [contributed]
LANCASTER – More than 1,300 employees and their families celebrated Antelope Valley Hospital’s 60th anniversary last weekend.

The hospital was dedicated in October 1955 to much fanfare. Over the years, AVH has grown from its original 86 beds to today’s 420-bed facility that serves more than 218,000 patients annually.

AVH Chief Nursing Officer Don Wenzler prepares to get soaked in the dunk tank at the hospital’s 60th anniversary celebration event. [contributed]
AVH Chief Nursing Officer Don Wenzler prepares to get soaked in the dunk tank at the hospital’s 60th anniversary celebration event. [contributed]
Some of its recent accomplishments include the recently opened Institute for Heart & Vascular Care, becoming a Baby Friendly facility, being certified as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center and being recognized as a Certified Healthcare District by the Association of California Healthcare Districts.

With 2,800 employees, 450 physicians and 550 volunteers, AVH is one of the area’s largest employers.

“We are extremely proud of the care we provide to both local residents and those who travel through the Antelope Valley every day,” said AVH Chief Nursing Officer Don Wenzler, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC. “While the community around us has grown exponentially over the past six decades, the hospital’s commitment to delivering exceptional care remains unchanged.”

The hospital’s birthday celebration included a barbecue, bounce houses, games, a dunk tank that soaked many hospital leaders, live music and, of course, a birthday cake.

For more information on Antelope Valley Hospital, visit www.avhospital.org or call 661-949-5000.

[Information via news release from Antelope Valley Hospital.]

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Filed Under: Health, Lancaster

12 comments for "AV Hospital celebrates 60 years"

  1. Is there anything in Lancaster that works or to be proud of?

    I do think that Park & Ride lot between Marie Callender’s and the freeway is a smart location.

    But, that’s about it.

    • There has not been much to be proud of since R. Rex Parris has been Mayor. I am embarrassed to tell people I’m from Lancaster.

  2. What a joke. AV hospital is a horrible hospital, like a run down county facility. Famous for killing people. After my experience this year in their ER I decided next time I’m dying, I’ll just stay home and die. They couldnt care less about their patients. [removed] you av hospital, looking forward to the day they close this place down.

  3. I was born in AV hospital. And every time I see that hospital from the freeway, I thank God I got out of that has been(or is it never was?) town for good.

    • If you are driving through it seems you must be on your way to or from nowhere. Doesn’t sound like you have a lot to celebrate. I live in Palmdale and have absolutely no reason to drive through Lancaster with any kind of regularity, though I did go out to Mojave a couple weeks ago.

      • Really now? You ever looked at a map? You can pass through AV coming from and going to far better places. Example: you pass through AV to get to Mammoth Lakes.

        • Nice place to visit. But as far as a place to live, like I said, you were on the way to nowhere.

          Or let me guess, when you talk bad about the AV it’s because you miss the “golden age” when there were like twelve people here and no one cared what you were doing with the sheep you were raising in your back yard. So “nowhereville” is GOOD in your book.

  4. What is their to celebrate I would rather die on my way to Palmdale regional than to go to av hospital.

  5. I hope all 2,800 employees and 450 physicians and their family and friends wrote to the 5 County Board of Supervisors about the unfairness of AV Hospital not receiving its fair share of “trauma property tax” of $12 million a year and over a $100 MILLION IN BACK PAY it should receive to restore layoffs, pay raise, pensions, patient care and hospital rating, if they really care about the hospital and its future. And attend the County Supervisors Board Meeting. Or this will be the last celebration for many!

  6. All 1,300 employees signed up for the dunk tank, proclaiming it was a metaphor for the recent downgrading by Moody’s and their pensions being flushed down the drain. They bounced off the bouncy house, right into the barbecue, requesting to be cremated by lethal shish kabob, while the father, son and the holy ghost took the last train for the coast…