The History of a History

We received an interesting email a couple of weeks ago from David Crawford, Emeritus Librarian at McGill University.  The Osler Library of the History of Medicine at McGill has a collection of all published Canadian hospital histories and Mr. Crawford is helping them find those they are missing.

Google brought them to us!  Luckily one of our members had an extra copy and we were able to send it off to the Osler Library where it now is part of their collection.

Stewart Memorial Health Centre: A History was written in 1974 by Alberton writer and educator Allan Graham.  Proceeds from the sale of the book were used to support the hospital. The copy we sent to McGill was the second edition, so it seems to have sold well!  But the book served a more tactical purpose, too.

The hospital closed in the spring of 1974 when the nursing staff resigned in protest over differences with the medical director, Dr. Humphrey Booth.  It reopened in September 1974 with a new medical director, Dr. Joyce Madigane, and Dr. Booth was refused admitting privileges by the Board.

Large public meetings were held over the year, culminating in a November meeting at Ellerslie Elementary School of over 600 people where a vote of confidence on the hospital board was held.

This was an emotional time in our area, dividing friends and families.  The Board commissioned Mr. Graham to write the 36-page-book to remind residents of the hospital's proud history and of the good work of the board over it's 30 years of service.  They wanted the community members to remember what they had built together and how important it was that they continue to work for the good of the hospital.

It seemed to have worked, as the hospital has remained open to this day.  Our community members have always known that healthcare is about more than dollars and cents.  Caring for each other is an emotional endeavour and one the Auxiliary have taken seriously for over 63 years.