Holy Cross Hospital — 1986
One of the true delights that has accompanied my working in the medical profession has been the association with diverse and interesting people. No where was this more in evidence that during the years that I did obstetric anesthesia at Holy Cross Hospital. The nurses on the Labor and Delivery floor presented an ever-changing smorgasbord of fun, entertainment, and drama. Many of the friendships formed there will be life-long. Following is an example of some of the fun that we had. I wrote the first letter, and the nurses wrote the second letter in response:
December 17, 1986
Dear Registered Nurses,
The best of the season to you all. As you know, each year at this time the Obstetric Anesthesia department has presented you with a modest token of our appreciation for your undeviating devotion to your profession and this department. Unfortunately, in times past we have been caught up in the materialism and commercialism that is prevalent at this time of the year, and we have purchased gifts which could only be classified as worldly (ghetto-blaster, toaster, silverware, etc.). This year we have decided to transcend the barriers of triviality and offer you a gift of much more worth and eternal value: the gift of knowledge, yea verily, the sacred gift of knowledge. We proudly present you with a one-year subscription to the Salt Lake Tribune, recognized nationally as the “gold-standard” of the printed-media industry. It is our hope that this gift will open new vistas and horizons to you all, expanding your mental capacities and perceptions to proportions heretofore attained only by the intellectually gifted. Rest assured that we consider you an elite corps of nurses, and we deem ourselves privileged indeed to mingle with you on a regular basis. Merry Christmas.
Anesthetically yours,
Gary Silver, Michael Taylor, Jana Terreros
P.S. We will consider this subscription renewable, based upon your performance as nurses and world-event scholars.
We received this message in return from the nurses.
Message sent from The Holy City, in the Year Of Our Lord Nineteen Hundred Eighty-Six
Esteemed Bearers of Gifts,
Kindly accept our sincere thanks for both the Salt Lake Tribune to enrich our minds and the popcorn to enhance our thighs. Unlike the plates and the silverware, the popcorn will be with us forever. We deem it the ultimate fortune to be working with a group of anesthesiologists whose expertise is unparalleled and whose interest in our moral and intellectual welfare is constantly evident. Being in constant contact with such beacons of moral rectitude can only teach us patience. We are especially grateful for your thoughtfulness in choosing two gifts which do not need refrigeration.
Trainably yours, The nurses of the Labor and Delivery suites at Holy Cross Hospital
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