President Clinton Visits St. Camillus

It's an event of historical proportions for Central New York and now for one Syracuse healthcare facility. At 8:35 p.m. on Tuesday, August 31, 1999, President Clinton made an impromptu trip to St. Camillus Health and Rehabilitation Center for a visit with Millie McAuliffe, RehabPath Program patient and mother of Clinton's campaign finance chairman, Terry McAuliffe.

Looking a bit fatigued after a lengthy day of golf at nearby Bellevue Country Club, Clinton was in good spirits and very friendly with all residents, patients, families and employees who turned out to welcome him. All throughout the facility, Clinton warmly accepted and returned greetings and signed autographs.

From left, St. Camillus Marketing Director Deborah Fogarty and Public Relations Coordinator Will Wallak present tie-died St. Camillus T-shirts to President Clinton, as Clinton's campaign finance chairman Terry McAuliffe looks on. The president came to St. Camillus to visit McAuliffe's mother, Mille, who was undergoing rehab in the facility's RehabPath Subacute Program.

Many employees at St. Camillus were caught by pleasant surprise during the quick and unexpected visit.

"He was very friendly," said Zoe Heyward, a five-year Continuing Care certified nurse's aid, who happened on Clinton's motorcade while sitting outside the building. "He shook hands with each of us and I could only say, 'Nice to meet you Mr. President.' It was all quite surreal. I never thought I'd meet the president of the United States at work."

The president and Terry McAuliffe met with Millie McAuliffe for several minutes. Clinton asked how she was feeling and about the progress of her recovery from surgery on her right hip.

"I was really surprised to see him," said Mrs. McAuliffe. "It was very nice to see him, especially since he has such a tight schedule and knowing that his golf outing took so long."

President Clinton says hello to St. Camillus Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program patient Winifred (seated) of Utica and her son Bill of Liverpool. (far left). Looking on in the background, from left, are visitors Sheila, Shannon and Sandy and her son Justin, all from Camillus, NY.

Clinton initiated the trip to St. Camillus to visit with McAuliffe, whom he had met about a dozen times previously.

"It was the president's idea to visit my mom," said Terry McAuliffe. "He had asked how she was doing and wanted to see her while he was in town. That's the kind of person he is. He loved touring around St. Camillus. He liked the people he met there and said they have a great staff that's very enthusiastic."

Many St. Camillus residents and patients were also surprised and touched by the president's visit. Resident Ed T. sang a few verses of The National Anthem and received a loud applause from the president and everyone else present.

"He's my president!" Ed shouted. "St. Camillus showed President Bill Clinton the power of rehabilitation!"

Nina R., Millie McAuliffe's roommate, was completely shocked, yet extremely happy with her experience of meeting the president. Nina was talking on the phone with her daughter who lives in Pittsburgh when the president arrived in her room. She told her daughter that President Bill Clinton was in her room visiting her roommate. Nina's daughter thought her mom was crazy.

"I almost went through the ceiling," said Nina, a Syracuse resident and native of Ukraine, who recalls life during World War II as her worst-ever experience. "My daughter (on the phone) would not believe me that the president was in my room. I have never hung up the phone so fast.

"The president was nice and polite. He came in the room and acted like an old friend. He gave me his autograph for my grandchildren. I couldn't believe it."

Bill F. of Liverpool was visiting with his mom, Winifred, of Utica, a St. Camillus Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program patient, when the presidential visit swept them into disbelief.

"I was very surprised by the visit," said Bill. "It was certainly impressive to meet him, especially since I'm serving as a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserves. What an incredible gesture for him to stop by a facility such as St. Camillus and spend some time with seniors."

"Thank you for the shirts, they look great. Thank you for letting me visit. You have a wonderful facility." - President William Jefferson Clinton

"I couldn't sleep all night," said Winifred. "When I woke up I thought it was all a dream. But everyone kept telling me it was true. It really did happen."

The entire presidential visit only lasted about fifteen minutes. Upon his departure, the president was presented with three St. Camillus tie-dyed T-shirts for himself and his family.

"Thank you for the shirts," said President Clinton. "They look great. Thank you for letting me visit. You have a wonderful facility."

A polite and outgoing Clinton thanked everyone for their warm welcome. After he left, many who met Clinton were awe-struck and couldn't believe the visit had actually happened.

Special thanks go out to St. Camillus visitors Pat S and Sandy W. of Camillus, NY, who took all photos on this page.