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McClennan-Banks reunion renews memories by Heather Woolwine Public Relations As they entered the Harper Student Center gymnasium, former McClennan-Banks Memorial Hospital nurses and staff hugged and squealed at the sight of each other. Delores Wainwright hugs another former McClennan-Banks employee before the formal presentation during the hospital reunion. Old pictures, letters, and memorabilia adorned a long table by the doorway, creating a literal memory lane. Photos of doctors and nurses, the hospital itself, and the last baby born there rewound the years. “I began working in a business office in the hospital when I was the tender age of 19,” said Yvette Douglas. “Some of these folks I haven’t seen since I left and others have passed on. I’m here because of the fellowship we all share.” The Office of Diversity, specifically director Thaddeus Bell, M.D., decided to hold the reunion on May 6 to pay tribute to the former employees of McClennan-Banks and recognize them as health care pioneers in the Tri-county area and South Carolina. “I’m definitely here for sentimental reasons,” said Cornielle O’Neill Chavers, former lab technician. “It’s nice to see those who are still around and remember those that have passed away.” “We are truly indebted to all of those who worked at McClennan-Banks Memorial Hospital,” Bell said. “We felt it was more than appropriate to honor them and their service to the community. We as health professionals stand on the shoulders of these pioneers. ” An official program included a welcome from Bell, followed by remarks and presentations from Sabra Slaughter, Ph.D, MUSC chief of staff, Maj. Robert Pickering, The Citadel’s director of multicultural student affairs, James Tolley, M.D., Charleston County Medical Society president and CMH emergency department director, and Sarah Johnson, R.N., nursing Ph.D. candidate. Former employees attending: Liz Anderson, Julia M.C. Backmon, Maede Brown, Cornielle Chavers, Mary Chapman, Mary Davis, Yvette Douglas, Peolia Fishburne, Laverne Frasier, Bernice Frayer, Dr. Frank Gruber, Mable Hector, Barbara Heyward, Vivian Hodges, Mable Huggins, Ernestine Johnson, Eunice Lamb, Lutrecia Lamb, Phyllis Laroach, Willie Mae Lawrence, Gloria Logan, Catherine Macbeth, Georgette Mikell, Pernie Bobo Mitchell, Julia B. Murray, Dr. Catherine M. McCottry, Yvonne Smalls Nimmons, Elsie Horry, Louise Page, Marsha Palmer, Emily H. Parker, Catherine Pinckney, Willie Mae Preston, Evelyn Richardson, Catherine Seabrook, Shirley Smalls, Cynthia McCottry-Smith, Margaret Walker-Smith, Dorothy Stroble, Minnie Stroud, Delores Wainwright, Helen Watson, Catherine Whaley, Delores Williams, Dorothy Williams, Harold Wilson and Nellie Wright       Friday, May 14, 2004 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.