On Jan. 13, Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center celebrates its 86th year of providing quality health care to the community. Another milestone in the hospital’s history is the 25th anniversary of its parent company, Catholic Healthcare West, which donated a tree to Glendale Memorial to plant symbolizing the center’s enduring connection and future growth together.

On Jan. 10, hospital administrators and staff participated in the tree-planting ceremony outside the hospital’s Marcia Ray Breast Center. Planted was an Arbutus, Strawberry Tree, an evergreen tree provided by Creative Concepts Landscape Management in La Crescenta. When in bloom, the flowers are pink clusters, which eventually turn to round red and orange seeds the size of cherries.

According to Rev. Cassie McCarty, MDiv, BCC, director, Mission Integration & Spiritual Care at Glendale Memorial, “We chose the Strawberry Tree because it is considered a less common tree. We chose it for that very reason – because the care we provide to Glendale and our surrounding communities is not common, it is unique, special, heartfelt, warm, and caring.”