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32 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, April 28, 2000 OTMH Q ^d elM tiruj, j W (3 OaM Q ^m /M uitiy (^^m kheake, 1950-2000 The year 2000 m arks a half-century o f operation o f the Oakville- Trafalgar M em orial H ospital on Reynolds Street, now part o f Holton H ealthcare Services . In celebration o f this golden anniversary, a b rief history w ill be presented in the pages o f the O akville Beaver throughout the year. We hope you enjoy this overview o f your hospital's developm ent and the tim es in which it happened. 1956 - A Room W ith A View S ir W illia m O s ie r (1849 - 1919) Canadian-Born Physician "The desire to take m edicine is perhaps the greatest fea tu re w hich distinguishes m an fro m anim als. " ( v'yj/ he year 1956 was a time of evolution. The world's first transatlantic telephone cable system began operating, Khrushchev denounced Stalin's policies, the heart pacemaker was being developed, rock and roll was becoming increasingly popular, and the official opening of the new hospital addition took place in June. Completed one week ahead of schedule by the Frid Construction Company of Hamilton, the total hospital capacity is now 175 beds, and is complete with a Children's Ward. A crowd of 1500 people attended the opening ceremonies and took a tour of the new facility. Premier Leslie Frost made some opening remarks: "What you have done here is an object lesson. This hospital is the result of an appraisal of your problem, the acceptance of the challenge, the whole-hearted co-operaiion of your people and the creation of an atmosphere by sheer reason and good judgement, which eliminates controversy, with the magnificent results which we see about us here." 1950s X-Ray equipment The Journal , May 31, 1956 stated of the new obstetrical department: "Stork will get priority. In charge is Mrs. Agnes Rosalys Simpson, a graduate, of Toronto General Hospital, who has been a staffer since 1950. The three rooms in use as operating rooms will become delivery rooms. And, most important, Mom now won't have to be rushed off home at the earliest possible moment, just to make room for the stork's next gal pal." The Toronto Daily Star, June 8, 1956 reported: `Thomas C. Chisholm, great-great-grandson of William Chisholm, founder of Oakville in 1827, and chairman of the Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital Board of Governors for the past six years, was last night declared Oakville's citizen of the year. He was awarded the Lions Club annual award of merit for 1956... Mr. Chisholm was presented with an inscribed cane by Dr. F. Murray Deans, past district governor of Lions International and past president of Oakville and District Lion club. In announcing the award, Dr. Deans said: `No one can deny that Tom's vision, his courage, his foresight and his untir ing efforts have been the predomi nating factors which have given to the citizens of Oakville and its envi rons a hospital that will stand out as one of the finest institutions of its kind in Ontario.' Dr. Deans said the Lions Club has always been inter ested in providing hospital space." BUI Foltas, OTMH's first pharmacist in 1956, was also the provincial president of the Ontario College of Pharmacists, and in 1959 was the president of the national organization. Bill had a long career with OTMH retiring in 1984. Note the old-style glass intravenous bottles. Registered Nursing Assistant Amy James, shows a new father his baby in the baby viewing area of OTMH, circa 1956. Does anyone know who the father and baby are? OTMH 1956 operating room. Surgeon Dr. Bruce Wells (left), anaesthetist Jim Clarke, and nurse Shirley Moodie. The Times Circa 1956 · Actress Grace Kelly marries Prince Rainier HI of Monaco, in one of the most publicized marriages of the decade. (1956) · The 53rd World Series is won by the New York Yankees (AL), defeat ing the Brooklyn Dodgers (NL). (1956) · American artist Jackson Pollock is killed in a car accident. (1956) · Liquid paper invented by Claire Nesmith, idea refused by IBM. (Nesmith sells idea to Gilllette Corp. in 1979 for $47.5 million.) (1956) · The Stanley Cup is won by the Montreal Canadiens, an honour they would enjoy four years in a row from 1956 - 1960. (1956) · Martin Luther King emerges as leader of campaign for desegregation. (1956) · 1956 Olympics held at Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy (winter) and Melbourne, Australia, (summer). · John Utzon designs the Sydney Opera House (1956) · Videotape is invented by Alexander M. Pontiatoff. (1956) C o m in g n e x t... 1957-1959 Holding Steady Dear Reader: As part of the 50th Anniversary Celebrations, Halton Healthcare Services will be producing a commemorative booklet containing the historic OTMH material appearing in the Oakville Beaver. Photographs will be printed larger and extra photographs and information will be included. We would like to produce, through the Oakville Beaver, an attractive publication that is sponsored by businesses or individuals and contains sponsorship messages not display advertising. If you would be interested in supporting this valuable publication, please call Allan Roshko at 845-3824, ext. 244. Thank you, your support makes this possible. While every effort is made to assure the accuracy of information contained herein, and that people are acknowledged for their contributions, due to the nature of the material available, we regret if there are any errors or omissions. Halton Healthcare ................................. "IT