Marking memories on the wall

Hospital employees and volunteers have been signing the walls of the former marketing office at the old hospital building on Union Street, transforming the room into the Memory Room. On Wednesday, some of the former Pink Ladies marked their sentiments. From left are Ann Spencer, Peggy Jones, Dorothy Spivey, Mattie Ray Wiser and Gale Stephens. (T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Some were long and sentimental, while others were short and sweet. Some were funny, and some consisted of only a signature.

Regardless of the length or tone of the messages written in marker on Pam Fisher's former office wall, they all said, in one form or another, the same thing.

"It doesn't matter if your time at BCMC has been only a short period or a lifetime, we have all felt the emotions that come with the profession we have chosen," said Fisher in an e-mail to hospital employees. "We have watched as newborn babies leave our doors and go forth to meet the world.

"We have seen the sick and injured come through those same doors seeking healing hands and minds -- and we have rejoiced with them when they go home having found what they came looking for."

As Patient Move Day approached Bedford County Medical Center last week, hospital directors invited employees to sign their thoughts, or just their names, on the walls of Fisher's former marketing and public relations office. The room in the empty Union Street building is now known as the Memory Room.

Fisher said everyone at the hospital had been talking about all the history within the old hospital, and those talks developed into an idea of, "let's write these memories down," said Fisher.

The saying, "if these walls could talk," quickly came to fruition last week as employees began filling empty wall space in colors of red, blue and black marker.

"My work career started here 44 years ago. This will always be my home!" wrote long-time Bedford County physician Lana Beavers. "Change is inevitable and we must all deal with it -- hoping that when one door closes, one with a prettier view will open."

Debbi Monroe (Goodman) also shared her emotional sentiments on the wall.

"The three most important people in my life were given to me here," wrote Monroe. "A lot of memories in this old building, met a lot of great friends here. Glad to go to a new place, sad to leave a memorable place."

Fisher said many people made notations indicating they were born at the place they worked for so long, and also had their own children there.

Not all the space was filled with thoughts of long-time employees, though. Heritage Medical Center CEO Dan Buckner, who has the hospital CEO for less than a year, didn't pass up the opportunity to express his thoughts.

"I wish I had the opportunity to know this hospital and these people longer," Buckner wrote. "The stories these walls tell is one of courage and healing and emotion. I pray for that same blessing on our new hospital."

Other messages were shorter, but didn't lack meaning, such as, "I will miss this place. It has been my home for 30 years," or "Here's to new and better things."

On Wednesday, hospital volunteers, formerly known as the "Pink Ladies," had their last luncheon in the BCMC auditorium and at the conclusion, walked up to Fisher's former office to reflect on their years of service at the old hospital.

Depicting the feelings of a longtime employee, this drawing says it all. (T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

One wrote, "The Pink Ladies are moving on."

And they will be ... they might not be called the Pink Ladies anymore, but their smiling faces will still provide great warmth to patients, doctors, nurses and anyone else who makes their way through the doors of the new facility.

But perhaps the best summary of all included a drawing -- a character with tears streaming down its face -- with just four simple words:

"Good by ole' hospital."