Three governors, one hospital, three cheers
Governor Nelson Rockefeller and his wife, Happy, tour the new Upstate hospital in 1965. Behind them are Drs. Carlyle and Cookie Jacobsen. Collection of Upstate's Health Sciences Library.
In 1950, Jacobsen was executive dean for medical education at the State University of New York. He met with then-Governor Dewey to discuss the development of SUNY, in particular the development of its medical centers. In 1955, Jacobsen was a guest at the governor‘s mansion, then occupied by Averell Harriman, at which time the important decision was made to proceed with construction of the medical center at Syracuse. By 1961, Nelson Rockefeller was in the governor‘s office, and Jacobsen invited him to travel to Syracuse to inspect the site for the new state university hospital. Rockefeller returned in 1965 to tour the completed hospital and wrote the following note:
From Nelson Rockefeller: “It affords me the greatest pleasure to be able to congratulate you…on… the dedication of the Upstate Medical Center…the largest single construction enterprise of the State University of New York to be completed so far. You and your associates may well be proud of your leadership and your tenacity in consummating plans for this teaching center…you have rendered services beyond praise for the people of our state.”
And his predecessors sent their congratulations:
From Thomas E. Dewey: “In developing the concept and persuading others to join you in its achievement, you have earned the gratitude of all of us. I congratulate you and the Upstate Medical Center most warmly on this great occasion....I am so happy to know that your great hospital is now open for patients and congratulate you once again on this wonderful achievement and opportunity for service. With warmest personal regards and every good wish.”
From Averell Harriman: “Your vision, your plans, and your leadership….I am happy to share with you, your faculty colleagues and the citizens of our state, the sense of accomplishment and pride which all of us have in the State Medical Center at Syracuse.”
Signatures of Govs. Dewey, Herriman and Rockefeller. From letters of congratulation written about the opening of Upstate University Hospital.
