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Celebrating 50 Years Of Dedicated Service To Mercy Hospital

Port Huron, MI… A lot has occurred in the last half century: color TV was introduced. And, who can forget those 8-track tape players we all craved? Computer and digital video technology came on the scene and the advances in health care can only be characterized as extraordinary since the day Mercy Hospital first opened its doors in 1954.

One person has witnessed most of it. Ann Boden of Port Huron, a Mercy Patient Registrar, celebrated her 50th Anniversary at Mercy Hospital in November 2007.

When Ann Boden started her career at Mercy Hospital she earned 65 cents an hour. Boden will laugh when she tells you she really started her career at Mercy Hospital 52 years ago, but quit after she was denied a 10 cent an hour raise. Fortunately, compelled by the values of the Sisters of Mercy, Boden returned and continues to be a hallmark of dedicated service.

“When I started at Mercy, there were nuns on every floor in leadership positions. Their kindness and compassion to both the patients and staff was inspiring,” comments Boden. “In those days you often found yourself serving in many capacities. If you were needed in a department that you weren’t familiar with, it was expected that you step up to the plate and do what needed to be done.”

“Although Mercy Hospital is proud of and annually celebrates a number of dedicated staff with 30 and even 40 years of service,” comments Rob Gunn, Vice President of Human Resources, Mercy Hospital, “I have to say celebrating a 50th Anniversary in quite unique in any business.”

Boden can also regale you with tales of sewing surgical gloves back together and sharpening needle heads for vaccinations back in the early days of community health care. “We’ve come a very long way and I’m proud to say I’ve seen much of it,” concludes Boden. “It’s been a great journey.”

For more information regarding Mercy Hospital, go to: www.mymercy.us.