Surrounded by onion fields and grazing cattle, a state-of-the-art hospital opened its doors for the first time 30 years ago in the growing Santa Clarita Valley.

Today, Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital continues to provide medical care for area residents of with 217 beds, trauma center, an expanding emergency department, impending cardiac cath lab, and updated imaging services.

On November 30, 2005, the staff of Henry Mayo was honored with an all-day barbecue lunch and dinner. Several 30-year employees were on hand during the celebration to blow out the candles of a birthday cake. Marlene Reiter was one of those employees. A registered nurse who has been working in the newborn/women's unit since the hospital opened, said Henry Mayo still has that small town feeling.

"We've grown, not only in size but in service," Reiter said. "A lot of people who were born here are now having babies of their own here."

Reiter, who now works two days a week, moved to the Santa Clarita Valley in 1972 and signed on with the hospital because it was close to home and made it easy for her to be available to her six children. Having 30 babies in the nursery in a one month period was a big deal back then, she said. Today, the newborn nursery averages 100 to 120 babies a month.

"We've tried different [childbirth methods] over the years, but the one thing that has really changed is how much more involved the fathers are now," Reiter said. "It's better psychologically and [the fathers] are much closer to their children."

While enjoying an In N Out burger and chatting with fellow employees, LVN Shirley Augustine said she has also watched the community and hospital grow since moving to the Santa Clarita Valley in 1965. Augustine has been working at Henry Mayo Hospital for 26 years.

"It's a wonderful community and a wonderful hospital," Augustine said. "We've been through some rough times and there have been a lot of changes, but we're working hard to meet the needs and wishes of the community."

Many long-time volunteers mingled with the doctors and nurses. The backbone of any organization, the volunteers had nothing but praise for the community hospital.

Lucile Novak volunteered for the new hospital when she saw an advertisement asking for help. Having lived in the Santa Clarita area since 1967, Novak was eager to pitch in. She began working at the gift shop at Hillcrest Hospital while Henry Mayo was being built and moved over to the new building as soon as it opened. She is still working in the gift shop.

"I remember the dedication [of the hospital]. It was hotter than heck," Novak said. "I've watch this town and hospital grow. I like volunteering, I like my customers. I've met some wonderful people at the hospital."

President and CEO Roger Seaver said the celebration is an opportunity to look back while planning for the future. Seaver is working with Santa Clarita city staff on a vision to fully develop the entire campus of Henry Mayo over the next 25 years. The emergency room is currently undergoing major remodeling and expansion.

Seaver said health care is a great profession and enjoyed the opportunity to honor the employees at the hospital.

Registered Nurse Marsha Epstein said she likes working at Henry Mayo because it is a welcoming environment and she feels support from the administration. "[The administration] has a goal for this hospital," Epstein said. "A community hospital is a great asset to the residents. You see your neighbors, you see your friends and you know everything you do here, stays here."

A Henry Mayo nurse for the past three years, Epstein expressed the same affection for her patients that was heard throughout the celebration. She said she likes to get to know her patients and to take the time to calm any fears they may have.

"Many of them give me a hug when they leave," she said with a smile.