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St. Louis
Hospital
Second
catholic Church built in 1913 and transformed into
an Hospital, 1919 - 1929
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Before attempting to retrace
the modest beginning of St. Louis Hospital, more than sixty
years ago, a few words must be said of the founders of this
health institution, the Sisters of Charity of Notre Dame
d'Evron.
The year 1982 will mark the third centennial anniversary
of the Congregation's existence. It was Madame Thulard with
her first associate Marie Chateau, who laid the foundation
of the institution and inaugurated its double Mission of
Charity, caring for the sick and instructing the youth.
Inspired by the same spirit, six Sisters of Charity of N.
D. d'Evron, faithful to the teachings of their foundress,
responded generously to the call of devoting themselves
to these same works of mercy. They came to Bonnyville on
October 15, 1919, in reply to Father Lapointe's plea for
assistance in the establishing of a hospital and a school.
Fortunately, skilled carpenters like Mr. Raoul Lapointe
were on hand and offered their services to transform the
two storey church of 1913, into a hospital, boarding school
and Sisters' residence. St. Louis, Patron of the Parish,
also became Patron of the institution so it was named St.
Louis Hospital. It served the needs of the community for
ten years.
Progress kept apace with regional development for in 1923
the village of Bonnyville benefited from two much desired
utilities, a power line and a telephone system. Time had
come to seriously consider the possibility of providing
better hospital facilities.
In June 1927, a Hospital Committee was formed with Dr. S.
Sabourin, Messrs. J. N. Vallee and E. P. Olivier to work
in collaboration with the Sisters in planning a new hospital,
as the temporary facility could no longer meet the needs
of the growing community. Bonnyville's first medical practitioner,
Dr. Sabourin, who had arrived in 1918, gave the proposed
project his full support. It would be so rewarding to work
in a new hospital under improved conditions. Most of all
he would find it worthy of housing the great work of mercy,
care of the sick, to which he was so committed. The devoted
physician was not doomed to disappointment for construction
of the new St. Louis Hospital was initiated in the fall
of 1928 and on October 16, 1929, it had reached completion.
One can well imagine the joy that filled the hearts of many
residents on the memorable day when they shared the big
event of moving into a sparkling new building.
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St.
Louis Hospital, 1929
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Everything was not perfect,
however, for equipment was lacking and even certain necessities.
The people of Bonnyville, as in all parts of the country,
were faced with the Depression. Their desire to assist the
Sisters financially could not be realized as much as they
would have wished. Nevertheless, through their initiative
and community effort generous contributions were made.
Most Reverend Henry J. O'Leary, Archbishop of Edmonton,
officiated at the solemn blessing of the new St. Louis Hospital
on August 13, 1931. By this time the various services, namely,
surgical, obstetrical, medical and pediatric had been organized.
The setting up of the laboratory and X-ray Departments came
somewhat later. In fact St. Louis Hospital's first X-ray
was installed on September 8, 1932. A circumstance related
to the incident was recorded in the archives of the institution.
Funds were at a premium for this much needed equipment but
the sum of $3140.00 was obtained by means of a bazaar and
subscription campaign. The hospital was fortunate to have
the financial assistance of a Ladies' Christian Organization
which subsequently functioned as the Ladies Auxiliary.It
contributed greatly to the purchase of room furnishings
and department requisites; words cannot express to what
extend these donations were appreciated.
Perhaps one could glance back at this point to see what
was happening in the field of education. The Sisters had
opened a school in 1920, consequently, when the original
St. Louis Hospital was vacated these premises were again
transformed and additional classes were organized. The spring
of 1937 brought joy and hope to the Bonnyville School District.
A new school with adequate classrooms to accommodate the
students from Grades 1-12 was being constructed. The Sisters
of Charity could not staff this school due to lack of personnel.
Therefore, at the end of 1937-38 school year they were obliged
to permanently terminate their contract with the School
Board. It was then that Father Lapointe asked the Sisters
of the Assumption to take over the management of the school.
Trial and adversity are to a certain degree, shared by all
humanity during life's journey. The people of Bonnyville
would be no exception to the rule. Grief filled many hearts
when on the night of April 29, 1944, Dr. Sabourin passed
away while visiting patients in the hospital. The devoted
physician left this world from the very institution he had
served for twenty five years.
Under the able direction of several Sister Administrators
the institution continued to serve the needs of the growing
community, but by the early 1950's an extension had to be
considered. In fact it was imperative that extended facilities
be conceded as it was quite difficult to cope with the increasing
number of patient admissions, under the existing conditions.
The problem would find a solution, for on November 25, 1953,
the request for a new wing was accepted by the Provincial
Hospital Association and authorization was given for the
addition of 28 beds. It all began to happen when on May
8, 1954, the work of excavation was assigned to the Pardell
Bros. Local residents followed with much interest the successive
phases in the construction of the 1955 wing, which was ready
to be serviced on April 15, 1955. The official opening presided
by Bishop Lussier of St Paul, took place on September 20,
1955.
Administrators
Council of St. Louis Hospital, 1975
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While the various stages of
St Louis Hospital's history are being related, in all justice,
special mention should be made of the hospital boards, whose
influence and impact on the hospital's functioning deserve
to be commended and gratefully acknowledged for their very
valuable services to the institution. Therefore, on the
invitation of the Sisters of Charity, an Advisory Board
was established; its first meeting was held on May 13, 1954,
with the following members: Rev. Fr. G. Chevrier, o.m.i.,
Dr. Yelle, Messrs. Albert Dargis, Willie Levasseur, C. L.
Thompson, Osyp Ferbey, Jack Carroll, Jacques Demers, Laurent
Gareau, Willie Paquette, Alfred Muller, Raoul Lapointe,
Alphonse Brosseau, Stanley Baik and Louis Dumaine.
In 1972 the Governing Board included two (2) lay members,
thus Dr J. P. Bugeaud and Mr. C. Szaszkiewicz were appointed
to act on the Board. In 1974 the latter was replaced by
Mr. Marcel Ducharme. :n 1975 a third lay member in the person
of Mr. F. Parrish was appointed. In 1977, two representatives,
one from the Town of Bonnyville Council and the other from
the Municipal District Council, became part of the Hospital
Board.
The most recent development in St. Louis Hospital administration
occurred on January 15, 1979, when a Board of Management
was appointed to act as hospital planning authority in Bonnyville.
Sister Mary Ellen O'Neill, Provincial Superior of the Sisters
of Charity of Notre Dame d'Evron, confirmed as of January
1979, its constitution of nine members. It was then that
the Advisory Board was dissolved; its composition was as
follows: President: Mr. Gerald Tellier, Vice President:
Mr. Edward Vallée, Secretary: Mrs Charlotte Bowers,
Members: Rev. H. Tanguay, Messrs. Stanley Rymut, Albert
Tellier, Donald Olekszyk, Alfred Muller, Gabriel Ehnes and
Mrs. Blanche Vallée.
Until the Bonnyville Health Centre becomes a reality, continous
improvement of facilities will be carried out on a short
term basis in order to maintain good standards of patient
care. Thus in 1976, through the initiative of Dr. Gonzalez,
and with the cooperation of the other physicians and nursing
staff an Intensive Coronary Care Unit was added to the existing
services. With donations from seven local organizations
and one benefactor, a cardiac monitor and defibrillator
were purchased.
The most urgent health needs of St. Louis Hospital were
for a period of time in the scope of dietary, pediatrics,
emergency and physiotherapy. In 1979, the dietary department
benefited from renovations and installation of new equipment.
In 1980 the pediatric unit was moved to the third floor;
adequate space provides for the various facilities urgently
needed for this type of patient care. The emergency service
was updated with the addition of a modern sheltered entrance,
equipped with automatic controls for IN and OUT doors. An
alarm system warns of the arrival of a patient who is to
be given immediate medical attention. A physiotherapy service
now forms part of the renovated outpatient department. The
high standard of performance in Laboratory and Radiology
services accounted for the excellent rating of these departments
by the Accreditation Surveyor. They were updated in 1979
with adequate and modern equipment renewal.
It remains to be said that the great achievement in St Louis
Hopital's history was being awarded Full Accreditation Status.
It is evidence and assurance to the community of successful
efforts to offer a high standard of service and an optimum
quality of care. It demonstrates that the entire hospital
staff has acquired outside appraisal and has substantially
met standards which have national approval.
A tribute of Recognition, Praise and Gratitude to St. Louis
Hospital Doctors and Administrators since 1919.
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