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A Joint Initiative Between Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance and Community Foundation of South Wood County |
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Breaking News May 11, 2007 - Medical Mural unveiled FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wisconsin Rapids, WI, May 11, 2007 … The Community Progress Initiative Public Art Group unveiled a new historical mural on Friday, May 11, 2007, at 2:00 pm, in downtown Wisconsin Rapids on the Post Office lawn at the corner of 3rd Street South and East Grand Avenue. The event included a short program before unveiling the 8-panel, 32-foot-wide mural about our community's medical history. The location was chosen to fit in with the Community Progress Initiative's Mural Walk which already features six historical murals – on both east and west sides of downtown. The mural content covers 150+ years of medical care provided to the Wisconsin Rapids community, beginning with the first doctor to arrive in 1855, noting some of the physicians who arrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and then focusing on Riverview Hospital Association during its 95-year history. Highlights include the community's role in ensuring medical care with the formation of Riverview Hospital Association in 1912, as well as a tribute to many of the physicians and nurses who have served our community. “This medical mural was the idea of Edna Bach,” said Marion Ruelle, chairperson of the Public Art Group. “She came to the Public Art Group with the idea and recruited a volunteer committee of retired nurses and physicians; they raised half of the money needed. I know that she has spent countless hours mailing letters and making phone calls to make this mural happen.” “Thanks to Edna and her volunteers, and to very generous matching gifts and early support from Riverview Hospital Association, our community will see a new mural unveiled on May 11. It’s a large, 32’ x 8’ work of art, and it’s a wonderful tribute to our medical care history and all the people who worked locally in medical care for the past 150 years,” Ruelle added. The murals are part of a “Murals Walk” established by the Public Art Group of the Arts & Heritage Cluster. The Public Art Group is made up of local residents who are volunteering their time to bring people and art together in downtown Wisconsin Rapids. They seek to highlight the history of Wisconsin Rapids through the fabric of the arts. Muralist Susan Sampson, of Black River Falls, will be present on May 11. She is renowned for her portraiture and attention to detail. She has a great talent for transforming photos of the past into large-scale murals. In addition to painting this new Medical Mural, she also painted six other downtown murals: Paul Gross Jewelers; McMillan Memorial Library; Corenso North America; Early Days of Railroads; History of Water Power sponsored by Stora Enso; and Early Days of Logging on the Wisconsin River sponsored by Brazeau Wefel Kryshak & Nettesheim Law Office. The Public Art Group of the Arts & Heritage Cluster seeks to expand the Murals Walk to include many more aspects of the city’s history. Please contact Marion Ruelle, 715-423-0386, or Melissa Loken, 715-423-1830, if you are interested in: • suggesting historical subjects for public art • sponsoring a mural • painting an outdoor mural New historical content, new sponsors, and new artists are welcome to join the effort to help illuminate the area’s rich historical past. The Public Art Group’s efforts are part of the Community Progress Initiative, a grass-roots effort to create vibrant communities with prosperous local economies. Visit www.progressinitiative.com for more information. ## Below: “150 Years of Caring: Historical Medical Mural – a tribute to our physicians and nursing personnel of the 19th & 20th centuries; Creating a medical mural for our community – Personal reflection on 150 years of medical care” by Edna Bach In 1905, a white frame structure was constructed along First Street South in Wisconsin Rapids – near the present day Riverview Hospital. Then in 1917, a red brick two-story building was constructed with approximately 18 beds to provide a place for adults needing medical or surgical care. Five leading causes of death in the early 19th century were: pneumonia, influenza, tuberculosis, diarrhea, heart disease and stroke. Also, in the early years of the 20th century, physicians’ offices were located throughout our downtown area and surrounding communities. The offices were usually on the second floor of buildings. During that time, physicians made home calls and carried a black bag with a limited type of medication with them. Diagnostic equipment was not available. The stethoscope, a blood pressure cuff, and a thermometer were the few items carried in their bags along with a syringe to administer morphine sulfate to patients with severe pain. Registered nurses during those early years always wore a white uniform and a starched hat indicating the school of nursing where they had received their education. During the 1930’s, through the planning, wisdom, and foresight of our community leaders, administrative hospital personnel and physicians, a modern facility was planned. In 1942 a beautiful two story hospital opened its doors. It was the best of times for many of us. The hospital had an air conditioned surgical suite and a small laboratory on the second floor. The first floor contained our obstetrical department, with one delivery room and two labor rooms. Our nursery often times had a total of 22 infant cribs and new mothers stayed a total of ten days. Our one custodian set up extra beds on the sun porch as well as extra beds in the (1917) addition when needed. The nurses in that portion of the hospital were responsible for answering the door bell when the ambulance or police arrived with someone in need of care or observation. Our small laboratory was staffed by two lab technicians, working from 6:00 am until 4:00 pm, and they alternated duties on call in the evenings and on weekends. During the years of 1930 through the early 1940’s, the nursing staff worked twelve hour periods, 7 am to 7 pm, etc. Nurses were also hired for private duty care of patients in the patients’ own homes. Significant mid-century events involving our obstetrical department: -Dr. Andrew Hulme performed the first RH blood transfusion of a baby girl born February 8, 1958. -Two sets of triplets arrived in 1964. -In 1963, the total number of births in one year set a record at 1,600 (compared to approx. 550 births now). During the early 1960’s, physicians were building and starting small clinics known as group practices throughout our community. The need for a larger, modern hospital was becoming very evident, and in 1967 the doors swung open to the Riverview Hospital and adjoining clinics that we see today. And, of course, this medical campus has continued to grow each year and provide care for our community. It is not possible to describe the renovations that keep occurring and the many services provided to assure that our local institutions remain on the cutting edge of health care. Many in the Baby Boom generation are retiring and they’ll have different demands in health care as they age, compared to our previous generations. Administrative and medical personnel face many technological advances, high costs and emerging legal and ethical dilemmas. Traditionally, people in the community have responded positively to health care needs. It is anticipated that this beautiful medical mural, painted by artist Susan Sampson of Black River Falls, will pay tribute to our physicians and nursing staff of the 19th an 20th centuries … and what a wonderful educational gift to our residents and visitors. By Edna Bach -end- |
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