USA > Illinois > McLean County > Biographical history of the members of the McLean County Medical Society of Illinois : one hundredth anniversary edition > Part 9
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The date, August 7, 1952, marked an epoch in ophthalmological surgery in Bloomington, Illinois. The first operation for corneal trans- plant, which was done in downstate Illinois, was performed on this date at the Mennonite Hospital by Albert C. Frell, M. D., a member of the Gailey Eye Clinic staff. The eye was furnished by the Foundation Eye Bank.
The Eye Bank is now in its second year of operation. Up to the present time, ten of these corneal transplants have been operated upon. The results have been quite gratifying and the visual improvement has been considerable in each instance. The donor eye has been obtained from several sources, viz: The Buffalo, New York Eye Bank, The Chicago Eye Bank under the management of the Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness, and from Bloomington physicians who have convinced the family of the deceased person that it would be a wonder- fully generous gesture to permit the donor's eyes to be enucleated within two hours following death.
The eyes from Buffalo are flown to Peoria by the Eastern Air- lines where the container is picked up by the local Red Cross and delivered to the Eye Bank at Mennonite Hospital. All of this excellent service is done without charge, through the generosity of the president of Eastern Airlines - Mr. Eddie Rickenbacker.
At the present time the patient waiting list who would be benefitted by the corneal transplant is considerably in excess of twenty.
Unquestionably this surgical procedure bids fair toward becoming more and more an instrument in returning sight to thousands of cases throughout the states, when more surgeons learn this technique.
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MEMORIAL LIBRARY OF THE McLEAN COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY
The Memorial Library is located in a pleasant room on the base- ment floor of the new annex to the Mennonite Hospital. The room is equipped with glass enclosed bookcases, an enclosed built-in file case for medical journals, a long reading table, and ten large arm chairs upholstered in red leather.
For many years the collection of books owned by the medical society was housed in the Withers Public Library. On February 8, 1937, at the regular meeting of the society, a motion was made and duly seconded and carried that the medical books belonging to the society be transferred from the Withers Public Library to a room in the Illinois Wesleyan University where they would be catalogued and accessible to any member of the society. Shortly after this the library became inactive.
On June 10, 1947, during the meeting of the society, Dr. A. E. Livingston made a motion that a county medical library be established at Mennonite Hospital. Dr. E. M. Stevenson moved that the library be called the Memorial Library. The library was created at this time through the generous contributions of individual members of the medical society.
The present collection of books consists of year books on different medical subjects; many files of medical journals; about two hundred fifty new and standard books on medical science; and a complete series of "The Index Medicus" (Quarterly Cumulative Index of the A.M.D.). On November 14, 1950, the McLean County Medical Society moved that an annual budget of $250.00 be allowed for the maintenance of the Memorial Library. Many of the volumes are donated in memory of deceased members of the society, and members of the community at large.
Dr. A. Edward Livingston has been chairman of the Library Committee since its creation in 1947. The committee selects new books, either through direct suggestions by medical society members or through knowledge of current publications. Books and non-current journals may be taken out of the library by society members provided they sign a card of information.
The Library Committee encourages donations to the library, espe- cially in memory of former members, but also of any one who might have appreciated such a memorial.
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ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL, 1934 - 1954 Historical Sketch
Following the completion and occupation of the Nurses' Residence in January of 1929, no major construction was undertaken for the next two decades. Rather, the twenty years of the '30's and '40's were devoted to improving present facilities.
A number of steps have been taken to facilitate patient care and nursing service. In 1939 the private duty nurses adopted the eight hour day. During the war years nursing service took on new importance which it has not relinquished. The training of the large nurse cadet corps in 1944; refresher courses conducted for graduate nurses; training of volunteer nurse aides and the Gray Ladies; all were instituted as a part of the war program.
In 1939, St. Joseph's Hospital along with other hospitals was desig- nated a depository for the "new wonder drug" penicillin. Fourteen years later, gamma globulin was the scarce drug and slated for careful distribution.
With the gradual return of our doctors from military to civilian status, the hospital was able to develop departments long marked for progress. In 1946, the Radiology service consisted of two sisters, one of whom was a registered technician, one student technician, and a part time secretary. A total of 4,426 procedures of which some 3,385 were X-rays, 363 fluoroscopes, and 678 X-ray treatments was the record. Today, under the department's present direction, a staff headed by a radiologist has two registered technicians, four student technicians, and a full time secretary. They do some 9,724 procedures - 6,679 X-rays, 825 fluoroscopes, 2,220 treatments. The out patient department has tripled in seven years. The service was recently expanded to occupy five rooms on the second floor of the hospital. Equipment includes G. E. X-ray for diagnosis and treatment, a motor driven radiological table, a spot film device attached to the fluoroscope. The cystoscopic room has been equipped with the latest model table. St. Joseph's Hospital, Department of Radiology, received authorization from the United States Atomic Energy Commission for the procurement of radio active isotopes on May 25, 1953. This authorization applies to the use of Iodine 131 for the diagnosis of thyroid function.
Paralleling the development of the Radiological Department is that of the Pathological Laboratory. In 1946 the present director established the blood bank, the first such depository in this section of the state. Through the years, the laboratory has grown not only in size but also in skills. In 1943 routine tissue examinations were first started. From an average of 1000 tests per month at its inception, the laboratory now does 10,000. In the eight years the school for technicians has been in existance, fifty students have been graduated. These students are work- ing in the other hospitals of the community as well as some of the doctors' clinics of the two towns. The laboratory now occupies the south wing on A floor of the hospital, in rooms recently redecorated and with
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St. Joseph's Hospital - 1954
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equipment comparable to that of larger laboratories. Probably the out- standing feature of the laboratory is the excellent quality of the bio- chemistry section.
St. Joseph's Hospital's registered pharmacist, Sister M. Veneranda, has, during her nine years' tenure, planned and carried out the refitting of the drug room with modern cases, sink, and proper refrigeration for the storage and distribution of drugs.
In 1946 the polio ward was established. Standard equipment consists of two iron lungs, a portable respirator and the famous wooden lung, the Eureka-Williams model, built in a single night by men of the factory for use during the 1949 epidemic. This "lung" has had wide publicity. It was approved by the Council on Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. An article on its use appeared in the February 17, 1951 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Specifications for its con- struction have appeared in national magazines. This department in cooperation with the physical therapy department has helped many post polio patients back to normal living.
The physical therapy department occupies the entire west side of the south wing on 100 floor. It is strategically situated adjacent to the polio ward. Under the direction of a qualified registered physical ther- apist, the department cares for referral cases as well as post polio, cerebral palsy, and orthopedic cases. The department has the usual electro and hydro therapy machines as well as the Hubbard tank.
Late in 1949, and 1950 the hospital chapel was remodeled, redeco- rated, and refurnished. The rededication service was held in March of 1950. This achievement, under the administration of Sister M. Celine was a proud accomplishment for all the Sisters of the St. Francis community.
Along with other hospitals of Bloomington-Normal in 1951, St. Jo- seph's -Hospital undertook the reorganization of its staff to conform to the standards of the American College of Surgeons. As a result of this effort the hospital has full approval of the American College of Surgeons and is also approved by the American Medical Association and the American Hospital Association of Chicago.
The spring of 1951 also marked the organization of the hospital's first Woman's Auxiliary. The organization chose for its project the Cerebral palsy unit and subsequently has been very active in raising funds. A gift shop is maintained off the reception room at the hospital, the proceeds going to the Cerebral Palsy fund.
In January, 1952, the Cerebral Palsy Unit was officially opened with temporary quarters on 500 floor. This department, third of its kind in the state, is under the direction of the Department of Welfare of the State of Illinois and of the Special Education Department of I. S. N. U. It is devoted to the rehabilitation of educable Cerebral Palsy children. The department is gradually building up the necessary ortho- pedic, physical, and occupational therapy equipment so essential for treatment in cases of this type. The department will be permanently housed in the new building in the fall of 1953.
In the early part of 1953 the Doctors' lounge was moved across the hall to the front of the building permitting their old quarters to be added to the Record Library. With Sister Cyriaca, registered medical librarian, and a staff of four typists, the record library now handles dictation
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from phone connections at strategic stations throughout the hospital. These larger quarters provide ample space for the filing systems.
It has long been the policy of St. Joseph's Hospital to keep the hospital efficient by adding new equipment. This necessitates constant changes and long range planning. New O.B. and O.R. tables, incubator; washers and dryers for the laundry; kitchens and diet therapy quarters renovated; conversion of the heating unit from coal to oil burners; incinerator, sprinkler system, and electrical changes are some of these. In 1953 the hospital was partially rewired and a new electrical panel and substation installed. The hospital contains two hundred thirty-five beds plus thirty beds in the new addition.
In July, 1952, a new service was created, that of public health co- ordinator. This is a direct effort for follow up care of the patient. In this connection a series of expectant parents' classes and pre-natal clinics are conducted.
The new wing of the hospital, extending north west from the present west section is scheduled for completion in 1953. This unit devoted to convalescent patients will also house the Cerebral Palsy Department and Crippled Children's Clinic. Modern in every respect, with piped oxygen, solarium, and furnishings it is planned to accommodate twenty- eight patients. When the move is accomplished, hospital authorities look forward to the expansion of the present Pediatric Department.
The School of Nursing, a vital part of the hospital program, has been under the leadership of only two directors in the past twenty years. Sister M. Theddea served from 1933 - 1939. During this period Sodality and Student-Faculty government were formed. Dramatics and the student newspaper were activities of the school. Sister M. Loyola, 1939 to date, has seen marked progress in nursing education. The school is now listed in the temporarily approved list 1953 by the National Accreditation Agency. The school has had affiliation with DePaul Uni- versity of Chicago, Peoria State Hospital for psychiatry, and Illinois State Normal University for physical and biological sciences. In recent years the school and community have been more closely united under the Nursing School Committee.
All of these developments during the past twenty years have taken place under the guidance of four administrators; Sister M. Cecelia, 1936-1942; Sister M. Brigitta, 1942-1945; Sister M. Celine, 1945-1951, and the present Superior Sister M. Bonaventura, 1951 - to date.
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BROKAW HOSPITAL, 1934 - 1954 Historical Sketch
Brokaw Hospital's efforts in behalf of the ill and hurt of the community have continued since 1895, and recent decades have per- mitted its building expansion program to materialize in a real way. Progress has also been made in accreditation with the American College of Surgeons. The year 1936 was the first year when full approval by this group was given. Brokaw Hospital has had full approval since that date, the medical staff being reorganized in 1947 to conform with standards.
In 1934 Brokaw Hospital had ninety-six beds and a staff of twenty- six doctors. The present picture of Brokaw Hospital in 1954 offers a different aspect, as the building now includes one hundred twenty beds, and the staff numbers sixty-three doctors and fifty-six nurses. In the project for expansion, Dr. Herman Smith of Chicago was the consultant on building plans, and Schaeffer, Hooton and Wilson were the archi- tects.
A program of fund-raising was begun in the fall of 1948, and under the leadership of George A. Washburn, now deceased, the original goal was reached. Due to increased building costs, the effort to raise money has been continued, and at the present time popular subscriptions from Bloomington-Normal and McLean County total an approximate $1,100,- 000.00. W. A. Matheson is general chairman of the campaign.
During 1951-1953 the new four-story wing of the hospital was con- structed with a total outlay of more than a million dollars. The building activities were launched on October 11, 1951, with breaking-of-ground ceremonies. The wing was completed, and open house was held on June 11-14, 1953. Patients were moved into the new hospital on July 15, 1953.
The new facilities consist primarily of a four-story wing which in- cludes a new laundry, kitchen, dining-rooms, business offices, emergency room, sixty-six new rooms for patients, and a chapel where the nurses hold their 6:45 A. M. daily devotions. A call system with microphone equipment has been installed for instant communication between patient and nurse. The patients' rooms are light and spacious, decorated in cheerful colors, and equipped with built-in dresser, wardrobe, toilet and lavatory. A supply of oxygen is piped to each room. Future plans call for the construction of a one-story surgical wing which would bring all administrative and out-patient services, including surgical, X-ray and laboratory, to the ground floor of the hospital with all nursing service on the three floors above.
The administrators of Brokaw Hospital for the past twenty years have been - Miss Macie Knapp, 1934-1938; Miss Maude F. Essig, 1938- 1939; Miss Helen Bierman (Mrs. J. E. Willman), 1939-1944; Miss Frances Mix, 1944-1946; Miss Evelyn G. Johnson, 1946-1948; and W. V. Herrin, January 1, 1949, to date.
Brokaw Hospital's Board of Trustees, consisting of two trustees elected by each Protestant congregation of McLean county meets quar-
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Brokaw Hospital - 1954
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terly. The Board of Directors, a smaller group, holds monthly meetings, and determines the policies for the operation of the hospital. During 1951 and 1952 Brokaw Hospital spent approximately $30,000.00 annually on free services to the needy of the community.
During the past two decades R. O. Ahlenius, in 1941, completed twelve years as president of the Board of Directors; Parke Enlow served one year; Sumner Goodfellow, three years; Hudson Burr, one year; W. J. Bach, six years; and George P. Davis is in his first year in this office.
The School of Nursing at Brokaw Hospital celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in May and June, 1952, with a Golden Jubilee program, and issued a booklet of its history which included a directory of personnel. The directors of nurses for the past twenty years were: Miss Maude F. Essig, 1934-1939 (she began in 1924) ; Miss Helen Bierman (Mrs. J. E. Willman), 1939-1944; Miss Frances Mix, 1944-1946; Mrs. Evelyn Lantz, Mrs. Martha Rypins, and Miss Ailleen Keckler for short terms; Miss Margaret Mae Cheek, December, 1946, through June, 1948; Mrs. Mary Cade Scott (Mrs. Herman Smith), 1948; and Mrs. Gertrude P. Gallagher, 1949 to the present.
In 1934 there were twenty-six students in the school of nursing; in 1954 students numbering fifty-five were enrolled in Brokaw Hospital School of Nursing which is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges. At present the school is affiliated with Illinois Wesleyan University, Peoria State Hospital for Psychiatry, University of Illinois, Cook County Hospital for Pediatrics, University of Illinois Research Hospital for Pediatrics, and McLean County Public Health Department. It also has the approval of the Illinois State Department of Registration and Education. The courses offered are: three years, leading to a diploma in nursing; four years, leading to a bachelor of science in nursing, which course was added in 1951; five years, leading to a bachelor of science degree.
During the period of 1939-1941 the Mae E. Mecherle Memorial Nurses' Home was constructed at a total cost of $64,000.00. It is a four- story, brick structure offering modern living accommodations to approx- imately sixty students. Adequate facilities are provided here for school activities and for recreation, as well as comfortable living quarters. House mothers for the Nurses' Home have been Mrs. Elizabeth Forman for seven years, and Mrs. Gwendolyn Mitchell since April, 1949.
Due to the lack of suitable facilities and a shortage of personnel, it was necessary to close the Maternity Department in 1942. A gift of $7,000.00 in memory of Paul F. Beich made possible the re-opening of the ward in October, 1946 with a capacity of twelve beds and four- teen bassinets. O. B. supervisors have been: Miss Ruth Munson, 1934- 1939 and 1946; Mrs. E. Tindle, 1939, 1940; Mrs. B. Stricklin, 1941; Mrs. Esther Rensberger, 1942, 1947, 1948; Miss Irma Vogel, 1947; Miss Alice Shipley, 1949, 1950; Mrs. Shirley English, 1951; Mrs. Joann Sperry, 1952; Miss Schultheis, 1953.
The present medical staff of Brokaw Hospital includes thirty active members, five associate members, two honorary members, and twenty- four members on the courtesy staff. Doctors from seven towns of McLean County hold appointments in the hospital and from four towns in nearby counties. From 1934 to 1954 these have served as president of the medical staff: Drs. Gerald M. Cline, Homer O. Dolley, E. M.
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Stevenson, B. Markowitz, L. T. Fruin, David M. Jenkins, Harry C. Barber, Ralph P. Peairs, Theodore A. Rost, Fred W. Brian, Vincent B. Marquis, C. R. Ahroon, George W. Stephenson, Raymond E. Baxter, G. E. Hartenbower, Ray W. Doud, and Benjamin F. Hoopes.
The following interesting statistics for Brokaw Hospital were com- piled for the year beginning October 1, 1952; patients admitted - 3,131; patient days - 25,771; major operations - 565; minor operations - 1,281; anesthetics - 1,592; E.K.G's - 526; laboratory tests - 29,223; diathermy treatments - 188; births - 284; X-rays - 2,519; X-ray treatments - 1,170.
During the years of World War II, 1942-1945, there were forty-six names of alumni nurses on the Service Honor Roll of Brokaw Hospital, and thirteen members of the medical staff were in service. In coopera- tion with the United States Government, a unit of the Cadet Nurses Corps was organized by the hospital with thirty-five cadets. However, the war had ended before any member of this group had finished her training.
The Women's Service League, inaugurated in 1925, is an auxiliary to Brokaw Hospital. Its hundreds of members from McLean County pay annual dues, and its officers direct a program to secure interest, ma- terials and funds, and also to provide active service in the hospital. Cherry colored uniforms in the hospital indicate hostesses, saleswomen at the gift case, or operators of the snack bar. On the third Monday of each month a group of League members are busy with needles and sewing machines, working on hospital linens. Another activity is the Thrift Shop located at 1006 W. Washington Street in Bloomington. The following have served during the last two decades as presidents of the Women's Service League: Mrs. E. O. Brown, three years; Mrs. E. M. Stevenson, three years; Mrs. Eugene Funk, Jr., two years; Mrs. Charles Stephenson, two years; Mrs. Homer Dolley, two years; Miss Clara R. Brian, one year; Mrs. William G. Read, five years, Mrs. John A. Brokaw, now in her second year.
The past twenty years have seen enormous changes in equipment and treatments. Much improvement has been made. Mention should be made of the use of wonder drugs or antibiotics, the early ambulation of patients, increased use of laboratory and X-ray for diagnosis, spe- cialization of equipment for the treatment of patients, improved dietary therapy, development in the practice of medicine, intravenous therapy, and specialization of personnel, both doctors and nurses.
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MENNONITE HOSPITAL, 1934 - 1954 Historical Sketch
The Mennonite Hospital during the years 1932-36 was confronted with the problem of maintaining adequate service while many of the rooms remained vacant. The financial difficulties, nationally, made it impossible for many people to be hospitalized, since neither the indi- vidual nor the county had the means to compensate for services ren- dered.
However, early in 1940, it became apparent that more hospital beds were necessary in the community, and the Mennonite Hospital Associa- tion undertook the construction of an east wing which added forty-eight private rooms. The cost of this structure was $80,000, and some mem- bers of the medical staff together with the Mennonite constituency contributed enough to complete the wing in 1941 without debt.
With this growth of the hospital there was, of course, a necessary increase in the number of nurses. Housing of the Nursing School be- came a problem, and by 1946 a new nurses' home was dedicated which would accommodate eighty student nurses and the necessary classrooms and library.
Again during 1949 a campaign was launched to provide the funds for added hospital space. This time the effort of Mennonite Hospital to secure funds was combined in a campaign with St. Joseph's Hospital, which also wished to build an addition. Pledges to the amount of $350,000 were secured and the proceeds in cash were equally divided between the two institutions. With the money thus obtained, construc- tion of another addition to Mennonite Hospital was begun. The increase in the number of beds thus provided will bring the capacity of the hospital to one hundred forty-five, and, in addition, an entirely new surgical unit will be made available, with space for a new laboratory and more adequate X-ray facilities.
Along with the development of the physical plant there were changes in the hospital organization and in the medical staff. During the first twenty-three years of the hospital's history, Rev. E. Troyer had been the sole president of the Association. With the passing of Rev. Troyer and Dr. E. P. Sloan the responsibilty of furnishing the fine inspiration to further the advancement of the hospital passed more largely to other members of the board and medical staff.
Dr. E. P. Sloan had been, in effect, the Medical Director of Mennonite Hospital until his passing in 1935. The pattern of the medical staff, thereafter, developed with the presidency each year passing to a member who had not served in that capacity before. Committees and departments gradually came into being with more interest shown in a conscious effort to meet standards accepted by the larger hospitals. In the 1947 Approved Number of the A.C.S. Journal, Mennonite Hospital was listed as fully approved. Subsequently it was provisionally approved, and in 1953 was again listed with full approval. Under the sponsorship of Dr. E. P. Sloan and his associates, Mennonite
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Mennonite Hospital - 1954
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Hospital enjoyed a significant reputation in the field of thyroid surgery. Several national clinics were held in Bloomington with leaders in that field participating.
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