Reunion of nurses notes several changes at Union Hospital

For those Moose Javians keeping track of the renovations at the Moose Jaw Union Hospital, it seems a lot has changed in just a short time.
Well try coming back several years later - you would think you wouldn't even recognize the place. However, according to the 1956 class of Union Hospital resident nurses, the structure itself looks relatively the same. It's the staff, dress code and patient care that has changed.
"I know it's not us. We haven't changed a bit, that's for sure," laughed Anne Stow, former resident nurse.
As part of the reunion, 16 former Union Hospital nurses toured their old stomping grounds, Wednesday afternoon.
Memories and stories filled the air as they walked the green, peach and white hallways that they once called home.
Alice Coppmann said on the inside, the hospital has changed quite a bit.
She said when she was a resident you could tell the nurses from the doctors, where there once was a laboratory, there now sits a cast clinic and there used to be residents everywhere you looked.
"I think that is one of the saddest changes, there are no more residents in the hospital."
Today's student nurses work in classrooms and go to school at universities and colleges.
"We used to have a lot of fun here as residents. We lived together, played together and worked together and became great friends," said Gretta Smith.
The women said although they may not get to talk or visit as often as they would like, it was the time they spent together during their resident years that built the lifelong friendships that are still present and strong today.
They agreed that's what is so special about this week's four-day reunion.
It was an opportunity and excuse for the women to meet and spend some time catching up in the city where it all began.
These days, the 16 friends are spread across North America, having travelled from such places as California, Ontario and British Columbia.
"Everyone has been so happy and joyful to be back together. It really has been just wonderful," said Smith.

Lyndsay McCready can be reached at 691-1256.