Q: CH2M Hill has been in the news repeatedly for many months in regards to providing services for local area governments. What is the origin of this unusual and rather incomprehensible name?
-- Bill Bradley, Lithia Springs
A: The name is connected to the names of its founders. In the mid-1930s, three students -- Holly Cornell, James Howland and T. Burke Hayes -- studied under Fred Merryfield, a civil engineering professor at Oregon State. In January 1946 in Corvallis, Ore., the foursome founded the firm of Cornell, Howland, Hayes, and Merryfield, which became known as CH2M. In 1971, CH2M merged with Clair A. Hill & Associates of Redding, Calif., with which it had collaborated on projects including the Lake Tahoe Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility, bringing national recognition and creating CH2M Hill. The company has more than 23,500 employees.
Q: A recent story about Hank Aaron’s arthritis mentioned some medication that had been prescribed for him. I don’t recall the name of the medication. Would you print that, so that I can mention it to my doctor?
-- Amelia Cane, Atlanta
A: Aaron is being treated with Synvisc-One, a nonsystemic therapy, for osteoarthritis knee pain. Synvisc-One is described as being made from a natural substance that lubricates and cushions joints; one injection is touted by the company as providing up to six months of knee pain relief.
Lori Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or e-mail q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
