Nurses have played vital role in patient care at Medical Center
From sterilizing instruments to bedside shift reports, nursing responsibilities have changed and grown
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acKinlay, Witt, Lorentz, McLucas, Johnston, and Milroth. Everyone knows the doctors’ names that are synonymous with Fulton County Medical Center. Nurses have also played a tremendous role in patient care, from the very first day Fulton County Medical Center opened its doors in 1950. Nurses are always on the front line, yet have remained in anonymity. Obviously, a lot has changed -- from uniforms and paperwork, to technology and protocols, and even the gender gap. We take a look back at the role and responsibilities of the nurses at FCMC and how they have evolved through the decades. When the nurses were interviewed separately for this story, they reflected on many topics, some specific and others in generalities. This is a sample of the specifics one former nurse shared: Back in the day with an IV pole “I would hang a glass bottle with fluid on an IV pole. Calculating how many drops per minute were needed so it would run over the prescribed time, and then counting the drops for a full minute. I would rip off a piece of white adhesive tape, writing the date and time the IV was started with my initials, and attach that to the IV tubing. I checked the IV often throughout my shift, making sure it was dripping at the correct rate. There wasn’t an alarm to alert me when the bottle was dry. There was no Smart Pump back then – just smart nurses who knew what to do.”
June 2005: Received $1 million bequest from Cora Grove will.
2005
Marie Henry’s sharp However, upon a recommendation from a mind friend who had two nieces in Chicago pursuing Marie Henry is 99 years a nursing degree, Henry traveled solo to Chicago old. She has seen, heard and carved out quite a niche for herself in the and done almost everynursing program at American Hospital. thing as a registered nurse. “I took care of two gangsters,” she exclaimed. “Busy? You could say that “When I was scheduled to get my cap, the again and again,” laughed administrators asked if I was going to change Henry when asked about careers because of my ear. I said ‘no way, I love Marie Henry her younger days as an RN being a nurse.’ Dr. Pollock went to bat for me and at FCMC. “Medical emergencies, patient care, I worked for him upon graduation.” (baby) deliveries … it was all exciting.” She wound up in Fulton County, but first She was on the front line and helped treat worked at Chambersburg Hospital for three Peggy Ann Bradnick, who was rescued from her years. She married and became a part of a kidnapper – a story that gained national attention farming family. She left the profession to raise in May of 1966. her children. She missed it dearly and returned “She was wearing his pants and boots when to the profession as her children grew older. She they brought her into the Emergency Departwas hired at FCMC. Her career here stretched ment,” recalled Henry. “She had assorted bumps nearly two decades. and bruises from being in the mountains and on She proudly shows her Dutch-style nursing the move for seven days.” cap made from a hard, white-starched fabric. Henry is blind in her right eye and has lost “This hat has plenty of stories,” she says with a hearing in her right ear, but her mind is sharp. smile. She shared many stories, including her own. “I always wanted to be a nurse,” said Henry, Carol Mellott and lifelong memories who grew up in Bethel Park. “At age three, I had “Those days (in the 1960s and ‘70s) as an RN diphtheria. I was treated for it, but my right ear carried a lot of responsibility,” said Carol Mellott. never fully healed. None of the hospitals in Pitts“We were fortunate to have RNs on each shift, burgh, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore would and we needed them because only the RNs could accept me into their nursing programs because give medication. We covered the ER, Maternity, of my ear. They said I wouldn’t hear all and Acute Care. We the doctor’s orders. I was very disapworked along with June 2008: Former FCMC sold to local pointed.” the aides and the
Oct. 17, 2007: Moving day at the old facility into the new facility started in the early morning hours.
April 2006: Ground broken for the new FCMC as JLG Industries donates $1.5 Million to relieve FCMC of outstanding debt on the old facility located at 216 S. First St.
2006 February 2005: Volunteer Campaign Fundraising committee formed with local businesswoman Helen Overly as chairperson. April 2005: Polly and Bob Shimer bequest $1,475,000.
2007
developer as FCMC announces plans to consolidate to one campus. The new addition will house Specialty Physician Services, Administration, Accounting, Business Office, Community Relations, The Foundation, Home Care and Managing Information Systems (MIS).
2008 Nov. 14, 2007: Ribboncutting ceremony at the new Fulton County Medical Center.
Nov. 18, 2007: The New FCMC located at 214 Peach Orchard Road, officially opens for business 6 a.m.
September 2008: Fulton County Medical Center Foundation formed after the formation of a Development Office was established in 2000.
2009 June 30, 2009: Groundbreaking ceremonies of 16,000-square foot Specialty Services building.
FULTON COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER’S 70TH ANNIVERSARY
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