New Book Recounts Early Years of Saint Marys Hospital

Monday, November 04, 2002

ROCHESTER, Minn. — A new book, "The Sisters' Story," chronicles the events and lives of the early staff of Saint Marys Hospital from 1889 to 1939. The book has been published as part of the 125th celebration of the founding of the Sisters of Saint Francis in Rochester, Minn.

"The story of the remarkable lives of the early Sisters and Dr. William Worrall Mayo and his two sons is one of perseverance, ardor and resilience," says Sister Ellen Whelan, Order of St. Francis (OSF). "The lives of these pioneers became intertwined in an endeavor of healing that continues today."

During the hospital's first 60 years, more than 100 Sisters lived and served at Saint Marys Hospital. This passage gives insight into what it meant to be a surgical nurse in the early 1900s:

"When Sister Theodora went to Saint Marys in 1897, she first worked in the laundry with Sister Sarah, then on the patient floors, where she helped with cleaning. She learned the basics of nursing on the floors. She became a surgical nurse in 1907, and she continued in that position for more than 50 years. Much later, she recalled those first years in the operating room: 'We put in some long days. After surgery we always cleaned the operating rooms. Then in the afternoons we boiled surgical gloves, cut surgical sponges, and even made sutures from horsehair. I remember how Sister Joseph used to take hair from the horses we had. We'd get enough to make a roll and then we'd soak it in strong soap for a week before boiling it to be used in surgery.'"

Until 1906, the Sisters were the only nurses for the hospital. As the number of hospitalized patients increased over the years, so did the staff. Personnel figures from 1928 indicated the hospital had 643 staff, including 288 student nurses, 152 graduate nurses and 135 other workers besides the Sisters. One Sister was assigned to each floor, and Sisters also were in charge of each department. The following book excerpt explains the orientation process for new staff:

"New employees received job training from the Sister in charge of their area. In addition to the specifics of their assignment, they learned about the hospital's mission and purpose, most often translated as 'the patient comes first.' Another high priority, also forcefully communicated by the Franciscans, was careful stewardship of hospital property. This value transcended job position and applied to everyone in every part of the institution. Meticulous in the care of material goods, Sisters practiced what they preached. They seldom threw a piece of paper away until it was used on both sides, and they mended linens so carefully that their use extended far beyond that of most institutions."

Author Sister Whelan, conducted numerous interviews with surviving relatives and friends of the early Sisters and drew from their shared memories, newspaper accounts, historic documents and personal writings to create this 200-page book. Besides the compelling stories of the early Sisters and the beginnings of what is now known as Mayo Clinic, the book also contains 80 rare historic photographs and illustrations. "The Sisters' Story" is available in gift shops at Mayo Clinic; Saint Marys Hospital and Rochester Methodist Hospital; and national and local bookstores. Retail price is $14.95.
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About the Author: Sister Ellen Whelan, OSF, author of "The Sisters' Story," followed in the footsteps of four of her aunts when she joined the Sisters of Saint Francis in Rochester, Minn. An educator, she received a doctorate in history from Syracuse University. Sister Ellen has been associated with Saint Marys Hospital and Mayo Clinic in various roles, among them serving as chair of the Saint Marys Hospital Sponsorship Board, which permeates Mayo and Franciscan values throughout the institution.

CONTACT:
Suzanne Leaf-Brock
507-284-5005 (days)
507-284-2511(evenings)
email:newsbureau@mayo.edu

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