From The Beginning

This is where life began for me. The Detroit Medical Center, Women’s Hospital ,later to be called Hutzel Hospital, is where I took my first breath, in the early summer 1955. I would return there nineteen years later on an offer of employment. After working in several factories and not feeling safe in any of them (early 1970’s rampant drug and alcohol use combined with heavy equipment made for lots of injuries) I was offered employment at the medical center. I had a friend from college who was also working there and she encouraged me to work there as well. The opportunities were abundant. I was nearly complete with my Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts from a local community college and would have to pick a university to continue my study. They offered a full tuition reimbursement program. Something that was rather unique at the time. Harper hospital was known as a teaching hospital. This hospital system incorporated two schools of nursing and was affiliated with Wayne State University. Harper Hospital would merge with Grace Hospital in 1973 and become one of the largest health care providers in Detroit Metropolitan area. They became my world from 1975 through 1989. This bird returned to his proverbial Capistrano.

My extended families lived in the neighborhoods surrounding the medical center known as Pole Town. As a very young child I can remember meeting my Great Grandmothers and the smells of something always being cooked in their kitchens. The historic Polish- American, Roman Catholic churches on Canfield street, St. Albertus 1884, Sweetest Heart of Mary 1893, and St. Josaphat 1901, is where the communities of Polish Americans would flourish through the 1900’s. The African American communities surrounding the medical center also had a very rich heritage and I was glad to be welcomed there as well. On payday which happened every two weeks I could get for 5 dollars some of the best barbeque this side of the Mississippi River. It included two large pieces of baked bread, collard greens, macaroni and cheese. and what ever meat was grilled. It was usually chicken, ribs or fish but no matter the meat, it was the sauce that pulled it all together. I remember it all being delicious, especially the gumbos.

Being part of both communities was something I would cherish as I grew older. Being a part of the Detroit Medical Center was a learning experience I would never forget. My supervisors were always supportive and when I had classes they wanted to know how I was doing. If I had any problems in chemistry, biology, or anatomy I was encouraged to ask questions. When I did have questions I would be referred to the nearest expert who made sure I understood by having me complete problems, or answer their questions correctly. In Anatomy I ended up watching several autopsies and I was able to ace that class. I had completed all the life sciences and was prepared to embark on a medical course of study when I was approached by the hospital’s administration. They wanted to know how I was doing in school? When I told them I was doing well and what I was planning on doing they had an offer for me. Instead of continuing my studies for a medical career they wanted me to take classes in business management instead. They had big plans for the DMC and they wanted me to be part of it. This offer I would have to think on. To Be Continued….

Giving the prison stories a needed break. Thinking of life before teaching in the prison.

John 8:39-47

Alexander Solzhenitsyn was a Russian author exiled but latter returned to Russia. It is too bad his message has not been followed and history will repeat itself in Russia again thanks to Putin and his gang of thugs.