Cora Aya-ay, Barbara Lay, Dr. Aya-ay & Dr. Suresh

   A good friend came back to Grantsville today. Dr. Juanito Aya-Ay and his wife Cora returned to the building they built thirty three years ago to dedicate it to their forty years of service to our community. 

   Barbara Lay, CEO of Minnie Hamilton Health System, the current owner of the building unveiled the bronze plaque and thanked Aya-Ay for his many years of service.

   The Aya-Ay’s came to Grantsville in the late 60’s to start their life together. “When I started practice I though I had great medical knowledge. It didn’t take me long to find out my knowledge only went so far” he said.

Dr. Aya-Ay referred to his recent bought with cancer. “When I learned that the churches here around Grantsville were praying for me, I knew I was going to be OK” he said. He went on to say that he was found cancer-free after his last round of chemotherapy.

Dr. Aya-ay, Ron Blankenship & Dr. Suresh

“My father was killed in action in World War II, so I used people in the community as role models”

Aya-Ay said. He mentioned the names of Carl Morris, Kitty Wilson, Von Yoak, Emory Smith and others. He also said that they bought cars from Don Morris and alluded to driving Ford’s, Chevy’s and Subaru’s, skimping to be able to build the building that opened in 1976.

After the ceremony a reception was hosted by the Friends of Minnie Hamilton with cake and punch being served giving Dr. Aya-ay a chance to visit with old friends and former co-workers.