Reynolds Memorial Hospital News

After 64 Years of Dedication, Reynolds Memorial Hospital’s Most Senior Employee Retires
01/20/09

The average person stays with a job for three to five years. Jean McFadden, on the other hand, has spent a lifetime working for Reynolds Memorial Hospital. In the 64 years she has worked at the community hospital, McFadden saw a great deal of change. Since 1944, she watched Reynolds Memorial Hospital grow from a white, three-story building to the hospital it is today. She went from the dietary department, when wages were 15 cents an hour, to serving as an assistant to three of the hospital’s four administrators – Madolyn Allum R.N., John Tiano and, the current CEO, John A. Sicurella.
At the age of thirteen, McFadden worked seven days a week – after school Monday through Friday and every weekend – in the dietary department. After she graduated from high school she switched to the business department where she operated the switch board and handled admissions, patient charge processing and insurance billing. She then moved on to medical records, payroll and served as secretary for general manager A.C. Spurr, the son of founder and the first administrator of Reynolds Memorial Hospital, Archdeacon B.M. Spurr.
Reynolds Memorial Hospital will always be a second home to McFadden. As Reynolds Memorial Hospital grew its roots into our community, so did McFadden. She grew up with the hospital that was only one block away from her house. She developed friendships and family throughout the years. She even met her husband, Kenny McFadden, and delivered her daughter, Sandy at the hospital. Someone who has put in as much time and effort into one company truly appreciates the sense of community an organization like Reynolds Memorial Hospital can have. McFadden is also very much appreciated for her abilities that go above and beyond the call of duty. Even after her retirement, she will continue to serve on the hospital’s Foundation board, is a board member on the Advisory Council of the B.M. Spurr School of Practical Nursing, and has plans to volunteer with the organization.
In 1994, McFadden was honored with an announcement of her 50th anniversary with Reynolds Memorial Hospital at the annual meeting of the board. It was such a surprise to her when her family members and coworkers expressed their appreciation of her commitment and service to the hospital. She was also awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Marshall County Chamber of Commerce.
“Jean McFadden is an integral part of this hospital and our community,” said Sicurella. “We greatly appreciate all that she has done for us and we will all miss her hard work and dedication.”
In a close-knit community, like Reynolds Memorial Hospital’s, dedication and commitment is important and, with employees like Jean McFadden, Reynolds Memorial Hospital has over 40 percent of its workforce working at the hospital for more than 20 years.