Visiting Nurses Has Early Roots
Visiting nursing was an early service to the community sponsored by Hackley Hospital. Early in 1906, Elizabeth Brett was employed as a full-time visiting nurse. To help her promote this work, a committee of women was formed, headed by Mrs. A.F. Temple. This group was believed to be the forerunner of the Hackley Auxiliary. Seven members of the committee were appointed by the trustees of the hospital, and other women were added to represent other organizations.
One of the duties of the members was to suggest people whom the visiting nurse might help; another was to establish a "loan closet," containing equipment such as wheelchairs, cots, blankets, hot water bottles and other things needed for the care of the sick in the home.
Through this service, they hoped to educate the public in the best practices for the care of patients in the home as well as perform charitable deeds.
The hospital discontinued sponsorship of the visiting nurse program in 1912, but the Visiting Nurse Association has carried on and expanded the work initiated by the hospital.
-- Information provided by Hackley Hospital
Reprinted with permission from the Muskegon Chronicle
