New director of marketing for hospital has deep family roots at Medina Memorial

Scott Robinson says many services offered by Orleans Community Health

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Scott Robinson stands next the plaque in Medina Memorial Hospital which pays tribute to his great-great-grandfather, George A. Bowen, who founded the hospital in 1925. Robinson just accepted the position as director of marketing, communications and outreach at Community Partners.

MEDINA – Working at the hospital his great-great-grandfather founded is something Scott Robinson never thought he’d be doing.

Robinson is the great-great-grandson of George A. Bowen, who in 1910 decided there should be a local hospital in the area. His son had been trampled by a horse and spent time in a Buffalo hospital, which prompted Bowen’s idea to have a hospital here.

Then employed by S.A. Cook in Medina, Bowen spent the next 15 years fundraising. He obtained a home at the corner of Prospect and Eagle streets, which was purchased and remodeled into a hospital. It opened in 1925.

Robinson, who with his wife Alix Gilman are two of the four owners of the Shirt Factory, had been working remotely in Washington, D.C. as director of public affairs for a non-profit in the construction industry.

“It was a fun job, but there was nothing personal about it,” Robinson said. “I left in September. I thought there were a couple of jobs in this area that would intrigue me. Then this job just appeared. I went downstairs, checked my computer and received an e-mail about this job.”

His family has a long history with Medina Memorial Hospital, other than his great-great-grandfather. He said he had multiple relatives throughout the last 100 years who had connections to this hospital. His About 30 years after his great-great-grandfather served as president, his grandfather Jack Zimmerman was president of the board. His grandmother was a nurse there for many years.

Robinson is excited about his new position. He takes over for Jessica Capurso, who is moving out of the area. Robinson said she has been extraordinarily helpful during the transition.

Robinson is determined to see that the public knows how much Medina Memorial Hospital has to offer.

“Even I didn’t know all we offered here,” he said. “It falls on me to reach out to those people who drive an hour for medical services rather than come here.”

He explained Orleans Community Health encompasses five locations, the hospital in Medina, dialysis centers in Medina and Batavia, a walk-in clinic in Albion and a lab at Dr. Stahl’s office in Middleport.

“This hospital is a cornerstone of Medina, like the Medina Railroad Museum and our vibrant downtown,” he said.

He explained the hospital employs more than 300 people, 100 of whom live in Medina. Sixty-one percent live in Orleans County and 18 percent come from Eastern Niagara County.

“This is very much a local community hospital,” Robinson said.

Robinson reiterated the state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment Medina Memorial Hospital has available. Their breast screening machine is one of the top in the industry and usually found in a much bigger hospital. They offer the best in CAT scans, cardiology and lab work.

“We are a critical access hospital,” he said. “How lucky to have this hospital in our back yard.”

As part of his new job Robinson is dedicated to showcasing the employees who work at the hospital.

“One thing I will definitely focus on is making sure people feel a part of the hospital,” he said. “Its employees and the community are personal to me. For every person who has one reason why they won’t go to Medina Memorial Hospital, I want to make sure they hear five reasons why they should. In many ways we are one-stop shop.”

He said you can’t view the hospital as a building. It is its people who make it what it is.

He praised CEO Marc Shurtz, who has said he plans to be there until he retires.

“He’s committed to the hospital,” Robinson said.