In October
1935, one or two ladies, representatives from each church, met with the Sisters
of St. Martha who came to set up and organize a hospital in Broadview.
Arrangements were made with the ladies to sew linen, gowns, etc. The first
nurses were Miss Schultz from Lethbridge, Miss Snell from Estevan, Miss Frances
McLeod and Miss Eva Hoskins. Mrs. Chas. Brown was the first patient when her
son Allan was born in October, 1936.
After Sister
Augustine came, she met with the ladies and the Hospital Auxiliary was formed in
May of 1936. The first officers were:
President:
Mrs. A. H. Campbell
Vice-President: Mrs. G. H. Craig
Secretary: Mrs. C. A. Stewart
Treasurer: Miss Gertie Knox
Regular monthly
meetings were held and the money raised was contributed to the welfare and
progress of patients and hospital.
The hospital
spent only a short time in the first location until it was moved around 1937.
This second house served until St. Michael’s hospital was built.
In 1942 Mrs.
Campbell and Mrs. Stewart attended the Saskatchewan Hospital Auxiliary
Association Convention in Saskatoon and Mrs. Stewart was elected Councilor for
District 9 and the Auxiliary joined the Association.
Early in 1965, due to financial difficulties, the Sisters of St. Martha notified
the town and surrounding municipalities that it would be forced to close, unless
financial aid was forthcoming.
On June 30,
1966, St. Michael’s Hospital was purchased by the Town of Broadview and
officially became “Broadview Union Hospital” on July 1, 1966. The sisters
donated contents and equipment and signed an agreement to stay and operate the
hospital temporarily. On September 13, 1966 the St. Michael’s Ladies Hospital
Auxiliary became known as Broadview Union Hospital Auxiliary.
On May 14,
1969, a farewell was held for the Sisters of St. Martha who had founded and
operated the Hospital for 34 years. A plaque now hangs in the Hospital as a
reminder to future generations that this Hospital was founded and operated by
the Sisters of St. Martha from 1935 to 1969.
The newly
renovated Broadview Union Hospital was officially opened on November 2, 1970 by
Mr. Gordon Grant, who performed the official ribbon cutting ceremony.
In 1977, the
name of the Auxiliary was once again changed to the “Broadview Health Care
Auxiliary”. This allowed the Auxiliary to extend their services in the health
field. A bursary is presented annually to a deserving Grade 12 student entering
into any health care profession.
Some of the
doctors that practiced in Broadview from 1935 to 1981 were: Dr. Allingham; Dr.
Craig; Dr. Maryfield; Dr. Campbell; Dr. Keene; Dr. Hemenway; Dr. Kenny; Dr.
Cooledge; Dr. Kachan; Dr. Basu; Dr. Decosta; Dr. Kelsall; Dr. Thaker; Dr.
Wallace; Drs. Peter and Jayshree Patel.
