|
home > healthworks
Where were you in 1981? It was an interesting year-52 American hostages
held in Iran were freed, Ronald Reagan was sworn is as the 40th President
and MTV went on the air. It was also the year St. Mary's Hospital of Blue
Springs opened. And even though the first patient wasn't admitted until
May 3, 1981, employees were on the job in mid-April.
"It was a very unique experience," says Kay Hawkins, RN, nurse executive.
"Very few of us get to have the experience of opening a hospital-unpacking
boxes, deciding where to put things-just starting from the ground up."
Nearly 40 people working on "opening day" are still with the hospital
today. "I think that says something special about the kind of place St.
Mary's Hospital is," adds Hawkins.
"There was nothing in the hospital," says Cynthia Peters, RN, coordinator
of Cardiology Services. "We built all of the crash carts and put things
together in our units. We all got to know each other."
"The most fun was in trying to find your department," adds Mary Booker
Tunnell, LPN. "There were no signs up. Everyone was getting lost and asking
for directions. Sometimes, bad directions were given intentionally. There
was a lot of laughter echoing through those empty hallways. But everyone
pitched in for all departments to get ready for the opening"
"I never thought I'd be here this long," says Peters. "But the hospital
provided an extended family. It was BC-before children-and we all grew
up together. The family atmosphere is so incredible. Not many places you
work offer that kind of support and sense of community."
Cleta Lorenz, RN, agrees that St. Mary's Hospital is a special place.
"We took ownership twenty years ago. It's not just a place to come to
work. It's a very nurturing place. Employees treat each other with respect,
and that nurturing and respect we have for each other is passed on to
our patients."
Hawkins laughs retelling stories of the "old" days. She says starting
a hospital from the ground up is a great experience. "Not many people
get to do that," Hawkins says, "It's a great thing to have on your resume.
But, do it again? Hmmm…I'd have to think about it."
|
