Date: Fri 28-Aug-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Benton-Egee-Danbury-Hospital

Full Text:

Danbury Hospital ER To Be Named For J. Benton Egee

(with photo)

Danbury Hospital officials plan to dedicate its newly-renovated emergency room

in honor of the late J. Benton Egee, a longtime Newtown physician.

The ceremony will take place in a room off the ER on October 11 from 3-5 pm.

Dr Egee, who died just over a year ago, remains highly regarded at the

hospital, according to hospital spokesperson Shirley Lapine. He was the

hospital's first full-time emergency room director and developed the concept

of 24-hour medical coverage.

Dr Egee established his general medical practice in Newtown back in 1935. He

was known to travel long distances to make house calls.

A graduate of the Philadelphia Medical School, Dr Egee worked in Newtown for

30 years before concentrating his efforts in emergency medicine. In the late

1960s, he took on the responsibility of the Danbury Hospital emergency room as

chief of staff, recruiting several highly-trained physicians to work under

him. He was there for 13 years before his retirement.

Dr Egee died in March, 1997.

Today, all Danbury Hospital physicians are trained in emergency medicine,

according to Mrs Lapine.

The hospital also plans to establish an endowment fund in his name for

emergency medicine and medical care.