South Peace Historical Society

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    • About Dorthea Horton
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  • Table of Contents

    • Part 1: First Nations of the Peace River Region
    • Part 2: The Fur Trade Era
    • Part 3: Transportation and Communication
    • Part 4: Old Timers and the Price of Land
    • Part 5: Dawson Creek: The Story of the Community
    • Part 6: Mysteries, Adventures and Indian Legends
    • Part 7: Arts, Crafts and Recreation
    • Part 8: Agriculture
    • Part 9: Church Histories
    • Part 10: Schools
    • Part 11: Health Care
    • Part 12: Industries and Enterprises
    • Part 13: Policing the Peace
    • Part 14: Pouce Coupe, Rolla, and Other South Peace Communities
    • Part 15: Chetwynd and the Fort St. John Area
    • Part 16: The Alberta Peace
    • Part 17: Natural History of the Peace River Region
    • Part 18: Interviews with Old Timers
    • Part 19: Remembering Our Veterans

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11-005: Chetwynd Hospital

This started as a little spark that was fanned each time sickness and tragedy struck our community. At first it was almost too much to hope for even though we were so distant from medical facilities. Our population was small and scattered, and many other remote areas had as great a need as we did.

However we had some very farsighted and energetic people in our midst and they never faltered or wavered in their demands for the necessities of a growing community. They made the need for a hospital first on their every agenda. Among them were Frank Oberle, Roy St. Dennis, Ralph Todd, Mrs. McWilliams, Mary Robertson, Bev Sterling, Nelson Wheeler, Allan Ramsley, M. La Marre, Ernest Phanner, Lorne McQueen and many others who worked behind the scenes. Mr. Doug Dimond was hired as administrator, the Hospital Auxiliary was formed and a man and wife team of doctors, John and Ruth Lennox, appeared on the scene in the fall of 1969.

They were a most welcome addition to the growing town of Chetwynd and by this time hospital plans were pretty well finalized. However, it was not until September 1971 when Mr. Bennett cut the ribbon to officially open a spanking new modern thirty-three-bed hospital under the capable supervision of Sister Josephine Mainka, R.N., and staff.

Patients were admitted on Oct. 4, 1971 and the first baby was born to Mr. & Mrs. Ken Ross on October 5, 1971. Mrs. Ross is the former Elsie Schilling and both parents have lived most of their lives in Chetwynd and obtained their schooling there.

Since 1971 beds have been filled to capacity most of the time and another doctor — Dr. Graven — has come to swell the staff to three.

« 11-004: The Origin of the Pouce Coupe Hospital

11-006: Nursing in a Red Cross Outpost Hospital »

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