Observations at Concord Hospital

I haven't been to the hospital since I had major surgery in April. 

Although mine was at Darthmouth Hitchcock in Lebanon and I had a super doctor surgeon, Dr. Thaddeur Trus, I couldn't help but notice some things at a hospital in the Concord area. They have a big facility, grown each year since it opened the new one in the early 1960s. I was born in Concord's Memorial Hospital,  then on South Street near Perley Street.  

I couldn't help but notice all the smoke free campus signs.  Nice, but, oh my, all the cigarette butts all over the grounds, and I mean cigarette butts. It looked like someone had dumped their ashtray from the car in the parking spot. There is no need to do this, that is poor laziness. Someone is not paying attention to the signs nor is someone not enforcing this rule. Too bad, this slopiness is evident right up to the doors going inside the facility. I saw an elderly lady crouched down behind a vehicle puffing on a cigarette for all she could. I pulled into the parking spot next to her. As I got out of my vehicle, I said, "This is a smoke free campus" and she didn't even acknowledge my remark.   

There are some fine people working at this facility. One nurse in particular, Paulette Chagnon was dressed in her official nurses uniform. I have had the pleasure of knowing Paulette for many years. She resides in Pittsfield with her husband and family. She wears her cap with the black stripe, along with a white dress uniform. I think she is the only one to do so. I know they have changed the dress code years ago for nurses, but I still think and respect Paulette for carrying on a tradition. I feel that when I see her coming into a patient's room, she is a nurse and a respected nurse. She has said many times, "I earned this cap and stripe and I am going to wear my uniform with pride." And you can feel the pride when she is on duty. Many times it is diffficult to tell the difference between the nurses and other staff members when they come in a room. So three cheers to Paulette for bring dignity to the position.    

Then, as you enter the hospital from the third floor by the cafeteria, there is an information desk. During the weekends and holidays, this lady who is well into her later years sits there and answers the telephone, calmly tries to help people as they approach her station for directions to the patients rooms or exam rooms.  She has been there for many years as well as helping in other buildings. I have seen her at the Memorial Building doing the same duties during the weekdays. We wanted to honor her during the , but we were told by someone on the hospital staff it wouldn't be appropriate. I think for someone her age category whether it is hotter than blazers, cold or snowy in winter, while others are enjoying their holidays, she is there very dedicated. Her name is Miriam and she is a delight. I recently told her how much I appreciated her smile and wanted to honor her but didn't get to far. She thanked me for the honor. We intend to present her with a plaque soon.   

There are others who go out of their way to make you feel at ease. Dr. Snow in the Wound Center; Dr. Thomson, Dr. Summers who are surgeons representing the Gastrology Center were wonderful to my mother and now my father who is a patient; Paul Charlton, who is a third year intern surgeon from Dartmouth College and has a resassuring smile as he talks to the patients; Katherine Evans, who is the liason for patient's families and friends as they wait for their loved ones to finish surgery. She has a wonderful smile who comes out every half hour to bring you up to date on their status. She is always asking what can she do to make your wait better. Then there are some who do not have that smile in dealing with patients or their families. I know they have  bad days like most of us, but they need to remember that we are worried about our loved ones. Brad, who is a yoiung man in the cafeteria that works helping to clean up after people leave their messes on the table or other varied duties. Brad is in his early 20s and a graduate of Concord High School. Despite his limited skills, he is a top notch worker always greeting people and saying hello.  

As I close out this blog, I can fondly remember the doctors of yesteryear, Dr. Halligan, Dr. Mathews who passed away years ago; Dr. Philip Boulter who left the clinic to take on new responsibilities and challenges; Dr. Stacy who went back to his native Nova Scotia. They always remembered you as the patient and took time to talk and answer questions. Dr. Steve Lawrence is one of those today. Thank you for remembering your oath and not making us feel we are dumb. There are others whom I have forgotten but will do a second blog in a future time.