Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital Marks 100 Years of Togetherness, Care at Centennial Celebration

WYANDOTTE, Mich. - Hundreds of current and former caregivers, patients and community members gathered at Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital on Thursday to mark a century of care with what many described as a homecoming.

The hospital's Centennial Celebration, held exactly 100 years to the day after the dedication of Wyandotte General Hospital on June 25, 1926, blended history, community pride and a look ahead - all in the same courtyard where generations have come and gone.

"This place has always been about the community taking care of their friends," said Denise Brooks-Williams, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Henry Ford Health, who previously served as president and CEO of the Wyandotte hospital from 2013 to 2018. "And that's what it is."

Brooks-Williams was among several speakers who reflected on both the hospital's legacy and its role today as a cornerstone of Downriver care. For many in attendance, the event doubled as a reunion, bringing together former staff, retirees and patients who had long-standing ties to the hospital.

The celebration's keynote moment came when Wyandotte Mayor Robert DeSana, joined by his uncle, former mayor Jim DeSana, presented hospital president Rand O'Leary with the Key to the City in recognition of the hospital's century of service.

The elder DeSana, who was mayor when Henry Ford Health purchased the hospital from the city in 1988, praised the Detroit-based health system's long-standing commitment to innovation.

"They're a leader, they're not a follower," said DeSana, now 95, adding that he had a successful valve replacement at the system's flagship hospital on West Grand Boulevard in Detroit. "And that's what we need."

Hospital leaders said the centennial is both a tribute to the past and a reminder of the work ahead.

"As we celebrate this incredible milestone, we honor the generations of caregivers, staff, volunteers, physicians and community partners whose dedication has made our success possible," said O'Leary. "This centennial is not only a celebration of our past but also an opportunity to look ahead to the future of healthcare and our continued commitment to serving our community."

Founded in 1926, the hospital has evolved from a small community facility into a full-service medical center serving Downriver residents, adapting over decades to changing patient needs while maintaining a focus on compassionate, local care.

Following the morning program, the hospital opened its doors for a day-long public celebration that included a historical timeline exhibit in the main lobby, featuring artifacts, photographs and milestones spanning the organization's 100 years. A centennial time capsule display offered a snapshot of the present day, with items selected to represent the hospital and community before being preserved for future generations.

Visitors also participated in tours, photo opportunities and activities throughout the campus, many reconnecting with former colleagues or reflecting on personal milestones tied to the hospital.

For those who gathered, the centennial was less about a single day and more about a shared legacy - one shaped by generations of caregivers and the community they serve.

As Dr. Krishna Sawhney, a surgeon who has worked at the hospital for 50 years, summed up: "You want to be at a place where you are wanted, you want to be at a place where you are respected, and you want to be at a place where you are treated with dignity. And then at the end of the day, you go home, talk to your family, and say 'I had a darn good day today.'"

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