Mayor Ron Littlefield created no little stir and excitement with his
visit to St. Barnabas skilled nursing facility this week.

"This is a pretty exciting way to start the morning!" said resident
Velma Hartline as she shook the mayor's hand. "What a good
beginning to a new week!"

Mayor Littlefield, who regularly visits Chattanooga's skilled
nursing facilities, stopped in to say "good morning" to the
delight of residents, patients, and staff alike. It wasn't his
first visit to St. Barnabas, however. He had attended the
groundbreaking in 2006 and was here for Gov. Bredesen's
roundtable discussion in 2008. In addition, his office worked
with the designers and contractors during the planning and
building phases of the new facility in Chattanooga's critical
medical community, which opened in July 2007.

"This is such a nice facility," said Mayor Littlefield, joking that at
his age, it's good to know such a beautiful and therapeutic
environment exists.

Mayor Littlefield says he always enjoys visiting skilled nursing 
facilities because he finds people that he's lost track of over
the years, such as Dorthea Bankson (right, pictured with
Mayor Littlefield and St. Barnabas CEO David Wildgen), the
neighbor he met again this morning.

David Wildgen, administrator, toured the Mayor through the
facility, describing the successes of St. Barnabas's therapy
team as more than 50 percent of new admissions are
transitioned to home.

"That's a strong handshake you have!" said Mayor Littlefield
to therapy patient Jo Black. "They must really be working
with you in therapy!"