Conemaugh Valley Hospital School of Nursing - Pink Cross Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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CVMH HOSPITAL HISTORY white parade that came annually from the hospital doors. The staff was con- stantly changing and increasing. A brilliant figure was Mr. H. G. Fritz, present superintendent of the hospital. Laurels to the years of service he has given C. V. M. H. The parade continued-There were the Seniors and Iunior Auxiliary which has during many years, made large contributions in the form of equip- ment..There was the ambulance, baby incubators, Deep X-Ray Therapy Equipment and the Sterilizer, lights, delivery tables. Their work and kindness never ended. It has marched thru the years. Suddenly the voice became a form, the Spirit of C. V. M. H. I was extended an invitation to see and watch the workers ot the institution. Going in the door I saw busy office workers. new patients being admitted, doctors and nurses serving humanity willingly. and happy in their work. Second Floor-Children department, happy faces, so much being done for our future generation. Bethlehem Steel section- industrial accidents, people injured trying to aid in the progress of a nation. On Third floor in a small annex of the building, I met a lovely old man, Mr. Edwin Horner, who had worked with Clara Barton, and came to Iohnstown with the Philadelphia division in 1889. He had since worked for the progress of C. V. M. H. Third and Fourth floors-private and ward cases, Fifth-the large obstetrical department. Sixth-the operating room, X-Ray and laboratory departments and on Seventh-studious brilliant student nurses learning the theory of nursing. Everywhere there were workers and progress. Then I awoke, dashed to my window, and was so very proud of C. V. M. H. Thanks to a dream. I. BEALS V .- A -R . 1 I . I - L 1 F F '

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CVMH HOSPITAL HISTORY of its limited capacity of 60. These additions brought the capacity to 140. With its limited capacity failing to keep pace with the rapid growth of the community, the hospital organization had, nevertheless, set up a wonderful record in public service. A main thought at this time was the need for a much larger institution. In l9l6 a great campaign for a building fund resulted in the subscription of nearly S140,00U.UU. Plans were in readiness for erection of a new hospital, due to the extended efforts of the people of the valley when there was heard a cry of War!! on everyones lips. The World War. The United States called to duty some of our best physicians. But we knew hospitals in every state were placed in the same position. The increased cost of con- struction and the difficulty in securing material delayed building operations. The second campaign for public funds began in 1923. In 1925 the structure was begun. It was decided that in order to accomodate the increase in the personnell, which a larger hospital deemed necessary, a new nurses home was needed, and accordingly, the present nurses home was constructed to take care of this need. The growth of the hospital with its newest equipment was a challenge to disease. There was the New Orthopedic and Psychiatric department. The Physio and Hydro therapy sections were enlarged and new equipment installed. There was a new Diagnostic Department, Obstetrics and Special Eye Department. These departments stood with trained personnell ready to serve all. Time slipped by, the hospital progressed with the years. In 1932, the hospital put into effect group hospitalization. The organization Was given credit for leading this very progressive and vital movement. Nineteen hundred and thirty-six there came great clouds, and rain again visited the valley, filling the rivers and streams to overflowing, causing a second Iohnstown Flood. This time they were ready. The hospital doors were open to all. Emergency radio systems were set up to the emergency lighting system, as electrical power to the city was cut. All available space was used for the construction of emergency wards. Thanks to the graduate nurses who volunteered their services. In the Flood of 1936 the hospital stood as a beacon to aid those in the dark. How proud everyone was they could help and show they were prepared for any emergency. In 1936 the hospital won national recognition by being given the National Hospital Day Award. Yearly the doors are open to public inspection on May 12th. They were also admitted to membership in the Hospital Service Associa- tion of Pennsylvania, early in l939. The cirruculum and standards of the Nurses Training School were con- stantly being elevated. They now have a Class A rating and the graduates are much in demand. The dream became more vivid. I could see a parade of many faces. To the crowd of workers who had given their all to elevating the hospital, I humbly paid my respects as a representative of the Class of '4l. Some faces appeared more clearly than others, because they belonged to the new and later years. In 1935 Mrs. Leota Swank became the Director and Superintendent of Nurses. Miss Iosephine Cope in 1939 serenly took her post as practical nursing 'in- structor, and 1940 gave a new science and theory instructor, Miss Iohanna Krauss. There were many others but these three were destined to lead the

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CVMH T H E B O A R D Dr. I. T, Taylor Dr. L. H IS. WUI! K M S k Miss Cope Miss Krauss