Display Shows How Hospital Has Advanced
by Juli McDonald KFYR TV
Posted on 5/20/2010
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It’s a big year for St. Alexius Medical Center, as they continue to celebrate 125 years of providing health care to North Dakota.
When the Benedictine sisters came to North Dakota more than a century ago, they saw that the area needed a hospital. The sisters didn’t have extensive medical equipment, and they didn’t have training. What they did know was how to give care.
Today St. Alexius is celebrating that care they`ve provided to the community with a display showing how they’ve grown.
“I guess that I was really thrilled, as I was looking through all the pieces is how much we appreciate our past and what an excellent job we have done in preserving it,” said Julie Jeske, St. Alexius director of marketing. There are some beautiful pieces from the 1920s the `30s, the `40s, the `50s and today, and we kept those. I just think it`s wonderful we treasure our past as we move forward with medical care here in the community in Bismarck.”
The display included equipment like an iron lung, the first incubator and anesthesia machines used at the hospital. St. Alexius still has some early financial records, and even original uniforms worn by nurses.
Sister Susan Lardy says looking back actually shows her how the important things have not changed. More than a century ago, St. Alexius provided innovative care, and they still continue to do that today.
“It makes me very excited to see some of these items certainly, because they’re like a footprint that shows we`re still going ahead into the future with new things, with new technology, new ways of treating people in the best way possible, and that’s what St Alexius is all about,” said Lardy.
Julie Jeske says that for St. Alexius, the display is an appreciation for where they’ve been, as they continue to look forward to where they’re going.
The preserved items included in today’s display are a combination from both the St. Alexius and the University of Mary archives.