Wadley Regional Medical Center celebrated 100 years of service to the community with a Centennial Celebration from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the hospital. "When you think of firsts in health care, Wadley leads the way," said Jim Summersett, president and CEO of Wadley. "That's why we saw it fitting to have this celebration on the first day it has rained in six months." Even with the wet weather, the celebration still had a good turnout with festivities held under the covered section of the hospital. Numerous people with connections to Wadley attended the event, including the first patient who was transferred from Texarkana Sanitarium and Hospital to the new facility. "This hospital was built on the foundation of people working together to help others," Summersett said. The hospital first opened its doors in 1900 to serve the growing needs in Texarkana, a town that was barely 25 years old. This need was recognized by three local physicians, Drs. S.A. Collom, George C. Abell and T.F. Kittrell. They later were joined by a fourth physician, Dr. R.H.T. Mann. Texarkana's first hospital opened in a private, three-story residence at 517 Pine St. and was called Pine Street Sanitarium. The hospital later was incorporated as Texarkana Sanitarium and Hospital in June 1901. Sunday's celebration was marked with several activities, including face painting, tattoos, scrapbook displays, giveaways and balloon sculptures. Vehicles manufactured in the 100-year timespan of Wadley's history also were on display. An old-fashioned street clock, dedicated by the Wadley Regional Auxiliary, was presented and unveiled on the front lawn. A time capsule was buried near the clock. Those in attendance thought the celebration was a different but positive thing to have. "I'm not familiar with the hospital but this seems like a good thing," said Tony Atkins. "There are all types of things going on for the whole family to enjoy. I didn't know such things were done." Atkins, who is from Hugo, Okla., was here with Ed Holiday, also of Hugo. Holiday said his brother, Bill, was in an accident and airlifted from St. Joseph's Hospital in Paris, Texas, to Wadley. "They could have flown him to Dallas or somewhere else," Holiday said. "They must think highly of this place to bring him here." By KEVIN RUSS of the Gazette Staff [email protected]