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B.etorii 2010 A Publication of the Massachusetts General Hospital Nurses’ Alumnae Association, Inc. ACKNTKINIAL REVIKVV 1873 - 1973 iMASSACHDSKTTS GENERAL HOSPITAL SCHOOL OE MIRSINC By S\ LVIA PERKINS Available for $10.00 per copy AN ALUMNAE TRIBUTE A HISTORY OE THE MGH NURSES’ ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION AND SUMMARY OF THE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, 125th 1999 By LINDA LASS-SCHUHMACHER Available for $15.00 per copy The Set is available for $30.00 plus $10.00 Postage Alumnae tCIje 2Recorb 2010 A publication ofthe Massachusetts General Hospital Nurses’ Alumnae Association, Inc Editor: Susan Fisher '66 General Information Requests for membership, alumnae dues, change ofaddress, notification ofdeaths, questions: MGII Alumnae Secretary MGll NAA P.O. Box 6234 MA Boston, 02114 (617) 726-3144 email: nmhnursealumnaefa partners.oriJ Web www.mghsonalumnae.org site: Requests for Loans & Scholarships, contributions to Loan & Scholarship Funds: Contact Fund Chair, c/o The Alumnae Office (checks made payable to specific fund). MGH Transcripts: Mail $5.00 fee pavahle to IHP to: Registrar, Transcript Requests MGH Institute ofHealth Professions 36 First Avenue MA Boston, 02129-4557 Phone: (617) 726-3140 Fax: (617) 726-8010 Email: reizistrar(7/ nmhihp.edu Include your name as it was when you attended, date ofgraduation, social security number, and complete address where you would like transcript sent. Class News submissions for The Record twicA and preferahiv emailed directly to: Donna Hovey 15 Kimball Lane ME Casco 04015-3826 Email: DHovev(g)Maine.RR.com Deadline for submissions Materials must be received by December 20''\ : Subscription to The Record is included in membership dues. 3 Cxetutibe Poarti, 2009-2010 ^ Massachusetts General Hospital Nurses’ Alumnae Association O P Box 6234 MA Boston 02114 617-726-3144 M(il lnursealiimnac(a Parlncrs.oiu Web: MGHSONAIumnae.org jgioarb of Btrertorg 2008-2010 2009-2011 Mary Caira, ‘59 Margery Eramo, ‘57 Jeanne Eskander, ‘69 Regina MaeDougall, ‘76 #fficer£i President (2008-2010) President Elect (2008-2010) Barbara Dunderdale, ‘63 Vareen O’Keefe-Domaleski, ‘71 Treasurer (2009-2011) Vice President (2008-2010) Susan Zahka, ‘81 Ann Collins, ‘66 Secretary (2008-2010) Marlene Norton, ‘61 4 Committeeg Bertella Tompkins Fund Loan Funds Mary Caira (Chair) Marlene Norton Vareen O’Keefe Domaleski Linda Lass Orrell, ’67 Nominating Mary Larkin ‘76 (Chair) & Communications Publications Robertal Nemeskal ’69 Linda Lass Onell (Chair) Ann Quealy ’64 Angela Branon, ’66 (Photographer) Susan Fisher, ’66 (Editor, The Record) Programs Donna Hovey, ‘71 (Class News) Ann Collins Roberta Nemeskal, ’69 Scholarship Finance Marlene Norton (Chair) Susan Zahka Lucy Tannenbaum-Nisotel, ‘80 Carolyn Wortman, ‘59 Historian & Heslin Fund & Susan Fisher (Co-Chair) Service Hospitality Linda Lass OiTell (Co-Chair) Mary Caira From left: Angela Branon, Roberta Nemeskal, Margery Eramo, Regina MacDougal, Marlene Norton, Barbara Dunderdale, Mary Larkin, Linda Oirell (rear), Mary Caira, Vareen O’Keefe Domaleski, Ann Collins, Jeanne Eskander. December, 2009 5 V iWesisiase Jfrom €bitor ^ r ^ Greetings, This past year has been a busy & produetive one, botli for the Board & for the wider Assoeia- tion, as you will see in our new “Year in Review” feature. Our membership eurrently stands at 874 aetive, 1545 inactive, 27 complimentary and 3 foreign. & There have been several additions/changes to the Board Committees over the past eighteen months, so it seems fitting to offer introductions, which you will find on page 7, “Meet The Board.” You will observe that several members have served in various capacities for 35 years or more, and those few are responsible for the survival ofthe organization through difficult times, especially around the closing ofthe school in 1481 and the years that followed. The hospital is beginning to move into high gear planning events and projects for the year- long celebration in 201 1 ofthe 200"’ anniversary ofit's charter. (The first patient was not ad- mitted until September of 1821, construction ofthe Bulfinch Building having been delayed by the War of 1812). Among the highlights will be a reenactment ofthe signing ofthe original charter to be held at the Boston State 1 louse; the opening ofthe new “building for the third cen- tury,” currently under construction on the site ofthe old Clinics Building; publication ofa new history ofthe hospital; and, ofspecial interest to us, a hardcover book about the history ofnursing at MGll due out in the Spring of201 I. In the fall, the hospital hopes to dedicate the MGH Museum, the old Resident Physician's Mouse with an addition, iftheir fundraising drive is suc- cessful. Currently 50"o oftheir goal has been reached. All ofthe annual hospital events, such as Ether Day, will have a special focus on hospital history. An intranet website will launch in June, 2010 and an internet site will be available on providing more information. I I I 1 On our cover and throughout this issue you will find photos of items which are currently in our archives. Contained therein are such things as a letter from Florence Nightingale, Ruth Sleeper's scrapbook from her student days, Sara Parsons' handwritten letters from Base Hospi- tal #6 in France during World War 1, rules & regulations for student dress & deportment over the years. I'm sure we all remember the rules about skirt & hair length, but do people recall that we were not allowed to use Treadwell Fibrary without special permission? Mary Durda ( '67) reminded me ofthat. Or that Harvard Gardens & The Sevens were strictly off-limits to all students? Or that we used to smoke in the tub rooms on the Baker units? How times have changed! Ifthis inspires you to donate some ofyour own memorabilia, call or write the NAA office, or email us at muhnursealumnae^/'partners.oru Susan Fisher ('66) . From the Archives: Dorm Room, Walcott From the Archives: “Big Sister Helps Fittle Sister” 1louse, c.1950s 6 ^ J iSleet JBoarb K ^ Seated, L to R: Vareen Domaleski, Jeanne Eskander, Mary Caira, Marlene Norton, Linda Orell, Ann Collins. Standing, L to 1^: Margery Eramo, Sahara Dunderdale, Susan Zahka, Mary Larkin, Susan Fisher. Not shown; Angela Branon (photographer), Beth Friedlander, Janemarie Henrick, Donna lovey, Regina MacDougall, Roberta Nemeskal, Ann Quealy. 1 Vareen O’Keefe Domaleski, ‘‘71. President-Elect. Bcrtella Tompkins Fund Committee. Vareen is a 1971 graduate. She has worked in the field ofbehavioral health for her entire career and cun'ently holds the Position ofSenior Vice President for Patient Care and Support Services at Vermont's Brattleboro Retreat. Vareen, mother oftwo, has a BSN and MSN and holds an Ed.D in human and organizational studies from the e.xecutive leadership doctoral program at The George Washington University. Jeanne Eskander, ‘69. Board of Directors. Since graduation, my career has followed a varied path beginning in the OR at MGH then on to the OR at Mt. Auburn in Cambridge. In 1977, Joined Flaemonetics as an educator on blood processing devices which allowed me to first 1 travel extensively in the U.S. and then spend 16 years living in Germany and working in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. I returned to the Boston area in 1996 and became active in NAA the where have been on the Board and President ofour organization twice. cun'ently 1 1 work at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center on the Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant unit. Mary Caira, ‘59. Board of Directors. Service Hospitality Committee. Bertella Tomp- NAA kins Fund. 1 have been on the Board for most ofthe past 50 (!) years, mainly working on programs for the alumnae. 1 had the honor ofbeing co-chair ofthe Program Committee for the 100th anniversary ofthe SON, and then co-chair ofthe 125th Anniversary, with Linda OiTell. I am still working per diem as a Hospice Nurse at the age of72. Employed continuously in nursing since graduation in March, 1959, 1 have worked in Hospice, Med-Surg, Rehab, and Long- 7 term care, in a variety ofroles in staff, management, and administrative positions in a number oforganizations. 1 returned to school in the seventies, while 1 worked full-time and had three young children (and a husband who cooked, cleaned and took care ofthe children), and 15 years later, acquired my BSN and a Master’s Degreejust before turned 50. Besides my three 1 children, 1 now have 3 granddaughters and am actively involved with them. 1 am active with my church, enjoy knitting, and other forms ofneedlework, cruising and traveling. Marlene Norton, '“61. Secretary. Scholarship & Loan Funds Committee. entered I MGIISON fresh out ofhigh school, not yet 18 years old. My choices in a future career varied but I elected to become a pediatric nurse. 1 did go on to obtain my BSN and MSN at Boston University to have more mobility in nursing. E.xcept for the 5 years 1 worked at Shriners' Burns Institute, 1 have always worked at MGll in various roles in pediatric nursing. 1 loved the years 1 taught pediatric nursing in our SON. Now retired, 1 spend my time volunteering for our Nursing Alumnae and the New' England Rose Society, and traveling. always have travel 1 plans. By the time this is read in The Record, I'll have finally been to Egypt. 1 have been chair ofthe Scholarship Committee since 1979, (my boss, Dottie Mahoney, got me interested). Board Secretary since 2000, office worker since 2005 and chair ofthe McCrae Loan Eund since 2004. IJnda Murphy (Lass-Scluihmachcr) Orrell, ‘67. Communications Committee (Chair). Co-historian. Bertella Tompkins Fund. After graduation, 1 earned a BS, a M.Ed., and became certified as a Health Education Specialist. My career was in Pediatric nursing, nursing education at the EPN level, faculty in non- nursing areas in colleges, and health education. For over 36 years, 1 owned a consulting business that let me travel, do health education and wildlife photography. 1 sold the business in 2008, but am still active with the Society for Public Elealth EAlucation and the Worcester Regional Medical Reserve Corps. Active with the Board for thirty & years, 1 ha\e served in all of the offices on all ofthe committees, including three terms as President. For 25 years edited The Alumnae Record & Beyondthe Cap and cunently serve 1 & as the Association's Historian and chair ofthe Communications Publications Committee, as well as co-principle ofthe Oral History Project with the IHP. Among the highlights have been & eo-chairing the 125"' anniversary celebration, including conducting oral histories authoring the commemorative book. An Alumnae Tribute also edited Karen Wolfs history. The Ne.xt . 1 Twenty-Five \'ears spend 6 months a year on a lake in Downcast Maine and come south to . 1 Massachusetts for the winter. Ann Collins, ‘66. Vice-President &. Programs. I moved into 20 Charles in 1963, a year marked by the Kennedy assassination, the Boston Strangler, and the Beatles (/ wasjust 17, you know what I mean). We were forced to mature very quickly, as we were expected to assume a great deal ofresponsibility early on. formed life-long friendships with those experiencing 1 similar pressures. 1 started back to school right away, acquiring a degree in Russian History because BSN programs declined to offer me any credits for my 36 months at the MGIISON! 8 I married in 1968 and moved to Tennessee, then Connecticut, and had two sons. During tliat time, worked in ICUs and hemodialysis units. In 1977 we moved to Ohio and when the boys I were in school full-time, 1 went to law school. 1 became a litigator and tried cases in product liability, medical device and medical malpractice defense. When the boys left, 1 came home to Boston & practiced law, defending medical malpractice cases until 2000 when 1 became a risk manager at Brigham & Women's. 1 have two wonderful grandchildren in the San Francisco Bay area, where I am a frequent visitor. Margery Eranio, ‘57. Board of Directors. Past Treasurer and Finance Committee. My career has been varied and long standing and I am still practicing. After a few years at MGH in Pedi and the old OPD where 1 collaborated on the testing ofthe Sabin vaccine, 1 worked at several local hospitals in Med/Surg, OR and supervisor. 1 was DON in a 350 bed LTCF for 3 years and MA then spent 24 years with the Department ofPublic Health in administration. Following retirement, 1 attended Andover Newton Theological School for 2 years and graduated with a cer- tificate in Health Ministry and Faith Community Nursing (FCN). 1 am currently the FCN at my church. First Parish ofWestwood, United Church ofChrist. In my spare time, 1 have taken up quilting, knit, devour books, enjoy my 4 grandchildren, andjust gave myselfa Christmas pre- sent ofa 2010 Subaru Outback. My 16 year old Geo went to my 17 year old grandson and is My still going strong. life is blessed! Barbara Dunderdale, ‘63. President, IHP Representative, Board of Directors. was so I proud to enter the MGHSON, September 1960, immediately following high school like so many ofmy classmates - the Class of'63! It was a great class with drive and much spirit. My entire professional career - StaffNurse, Supervisor, Head Nurse, Nurse Manager - in Orthopae- dics, Medicine, Surgeiy, Cardiac ICU, and Trauma - has been at MGH. 1 am grateful that the MGH MGHNAA has supported two academic credentials along the way. The has been an ex- tension ofthe MGHSON that was a transfomiative experience in my life. There is simply noth- MGHNAA ing in the world like nursing, the most noble ofallprofessions. 1 have served the for nearly 20 years as a member ofthe Board, Secretary, VP, MGHIHP Endowment, Chair of the Education Day and Homecoming, and as your President. It has been a privilege and honor. During my tenure, I am most thrilled that we have supported the MGH Museum Project, estab- lished the Endowments to help others to pursue their dreams and to advance the care ofpatients, and supported all efforts to record the history ofour beloved MGHSON. Susan Zahka, ‘81. Treasurer. Finance Committee. Endowment Fund. After graduating 1 remained at MGH, working on Baker 9 (an ortho/urology floor) until 1 left to start a family. 1 have been married for 27 years to my husband Steve. Fie was a CV tech in the cardiac cath lab and our paths crossed when 1 brought a patient to the lab while still a student at the SON. We have two daughters Jessica age 26 and Karen age 21 . Although I have not been working in nursing have remained active volunteering for my church, the community and now the 1 MGHNAA. 9 Mary Larkin, "76. Nominating Committee (Chair). Mary Larkin finds her role as manager of MGH the Diabetes Researeh Center a perfect blend ofclinical practice and nursing administration. Caring for patients enrolled in clinical trials has provided an opportunity to develop expertise in diabetes care and patient education. She enjoys improving the quality of life for patients through clinical researeh. She has worked at MGll since her Ib76 graduation; as a staffnurse, an instructor at Shepard Gill, an IV nurse, and in the Diabetes Center. She thinks often about her student experiences and how her life has been shaped as a consequence. She feels that during her MGll training she developed the strength, stamina and confidence to face life's many challenges. She has chaired the Nominating Committee for 2 years. She loves be- ing on the board and finds each member to be an inspiration and ongoing tribute to the MGll SON legacy ofnursing. Susan Fisher, ‘66. Editor, The Record. Co-historiaii. 1 entered the MGIISON in September, 1963, having graduated from Obeiiin College the previous ,lune with a major in English. was I encouraged to enter a degree nursing program (there were few then), but t//.vcouraged after the Dean at Case Western Reserve raised an eyebrow when 1 said my grades were mediocre, so I focused on diploma programs. have never regretted that choice. Except for a year on B3 1 (then the medical ICU), one winter as a “ski bum” at Killington (thank you, Linda Hayward), &. a year working in California, I spent my entire nursing career in community health and ease management programs at the Boston VNA (then headed by two MGH alumnae, Alice Dempsey ck: Norma Nesmith Holt) and at the MGH. During most ofthose years I had a secondary career in my partner's antiques business. My active affiliation with the NAA began in 2006, after attending my 40*'’ reunion (my first time back! ). After my retirement in 2006 1 became in- \olved in several archives projects at the hospital and the NAA, to which I remain passionately committed, and am putting my English background to good use as editor of The Record. Angela Branoii, ‘66. Communications Committee. was drawn into Board activities by 1 fellow classmates Ann Collins and Sue Fisher. My participation started this year. It’s been a great pleasure to meet board members and witness the time and energy that they devote to the MGl INAA. I work full time at MEEl as a sedation nurse for infants and toddlers having diag- nostic procedures. When am not working, spend time drawing, painting, and doing photog- 1 I raphy. This year I did the class photos at the September reunion. MGHSON Jancmaric Hcnrick, ‘59. .Nominating Committee. student from 1956-59, enter- & ing I'rom high school. Married in third year and have 4 children, 9 grandchildren 2 great- grand children. Worked in many roles mostly in OB and NICU at Beth Israel, Henry Heywood in Gardner, Boston City, Mt Zion in San Francisco, Mercy Sacramento & Mercy Home Health, (9B case management at Harvard Pilgrim & BMC Health Net Plan. Received an AS from Mt Waehusett CC, a BA in Secondary Education and Human Sexuality from UMass Amherst & a 10