CELEBRATED — WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital Deacon Paul Lim, center, poses with nuns Sister Nancy White, left, and Sister Mary Ann Rosenbaum during the hospital’s 175th anniversary picnic Sunday at Wheeling Park. -- Shelley Hanson

WHEELING — WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital employees and their families were treated Sunday to a free picnic and activities at Wheeling Park as part of the facility’s 175th anniversary.

More than 1,500 people were expected to show up for the event that included a variety of picnic food served at the park’s covered ice rink.

They also received wristbands allowing them to swim, play miniature golf, fish, paddle boat and more at the park. Some simply enjoyed sitting and enjoying the views and cooler weather on Sunday.

“We’re having a wonderful picnic to celebrate our 175th anniversary as a hospital,” said Deacon Paul Lim, vice president of patient integration for the hospital. “This used to be something the hospital would do back in the day, so it’s a tradition we’re trying to bring back.

“We’ve had so much interest. We’ve had people here since 10 a.m. today and people will be here throughout the day.”

Lim noted it had been nice to see the employees bring family members. He said the celebration is a way to thank the employees for their hard work, but also the family members for sharing them with the hospital.

“We are the oldest hospital in West Virginia. We pre-date the state of West Virginia,” Lim added.

Sister Mary Ann Rosenbaum, director of pastoral care, said the nuns are a big part of the hospital’s history as well.

“The sisters are proud to be a part of the hospital for 133 years,” she said.