Maine Memory Network

1942 is the hospital's 50th year anniversary.

"This year marks the fiftieth year of the founding of Eastern Maine General Hospital, a Golden Anniversary which in normal times would constitute an occasion for proper semi-centennial observance. However, the year finds our country at war." --Trustee president George Eaton

The war is felt throughout the ranks; fully one-third of the medical staff and 51 nurses have left to serve in the armed forces. Half of the attending physicians and a quarter of the surgeons are on active duty; one of the two pediatricians is in uniform; and three of the five interns are in the service (the other two are women). Admitting privileges are extended to the medical officers at Dow Field.

Preparations for meeting war emergencies continue: practice blackouts are held, first aid teams organized, sandbags, lanterns and shovels situated throughout the hospital; and plans are readied for evacuation of patients.

In reflecting on the growth of the hospital. George Eaton notes that the net worth of EMGH is slightly more than $2-million, roughly divided between buildings/equipment and the endowment.

In 1943, EMGH is designated a U. S. Cadet Nursing Corps training facility; by war's end, 154 nurses will have graduated.

The hospital purchases the Quincy property adjacent to the hospital campus as housing for senior nursing students. The student week has been reduced to 48 hours, "keeping with the policy of the better schools."

Auxilians begin service as hostesses during visiting hours (2-3 and 7-8 p.m.).

A blood bank, staffed with volunteer doctors, nurses and technicians, is set up in Stodder Lab. EMGH operates the bank in cooperation with the Red Cross and the Civilian Defense Office, with volunteer help from the Motor Corps and Canteen Service.

WLBZ broadcasts a five-minute radio spot "Our Hospital in War Time" for 33 weeks.

In 1944, "The shortage of nurses at times has almost resulted in closing the hospital."

"When the war is over the Trustees will be required to turn their attention toward meeting the challenge resulting from the fact that the Eastern Maine General Hospital is becoming recognized as a medical center for all of Eastern Maine." --Trustee president George Eaton

With the Kelley Building just five years old, overcrowding is again acute: patients are housed in corridors and "chronic cases and those less urgent must wait their turn or be cared for at home or elsewhere."

The allergy service is started with the appointment of Martyn A. Vickers, M.D.

"For many years the accounts of EMGH have been audited by (a) Boston firm ...With the growth of the institution your trustees found it necessary to engage a full time comptroller and auditor." --Annual Report

Increasing supply costs and higher wage scales are cited as reasons for "difficult financial problems."

Increased enrollment prompts the nursing school to add an additional pediatric affiliation (at Cincinnati Children's Hospital).

1945, the annual report notes: "The completion of the fiscal year ending June 1945 brings us close to what we hope will be the end of war time difficulties. The hospital will then be faced with a period of readjustment to post-war conditions, a transition which may not be easy to accomplish."--Medical director Allan Craig, M.D.

"Following the liberation of the Philippines we were more than grateful to have one of our nurses, Lt. Alice Zwicker, who had been on Bataan and Corregidor and was a prisoner of the Japanese for 39 months at Santa Tomas, return to us safely and on April 19, a testimonial dinner was given Lt. Zwicker by the trustees) medical staff and personnel of the hospital." --Annual report

Clarence Emery, Jr., M.O., is appointed the first attending physician of the obstetrical service.

Neuropsychiatrist Arthur P. Stebbins, M.D., is named to the courtesy staff.

War time restrictions still limit capital improvements to modest dimensions: progress this year includes upgrading wards A and B with hand basins ("hot and cold running water"), bed pan washers, and fresh paint.

By 1946, the annual report notes, "Our facilities are taxed to the utmost. ...At one time during the year it seemed that the trustees might be obliged to close one of the wards. Shortages of personnel in operating rooms have almost made it necessary to close the operating rooms on occasion."

To help alleviate overcrowding, some patients are now housed in the nurses' annex; nurses evacuated from the annex occupy temporary one-story wooden buildings on the grounds.

"When the Trustees determined that it was the function of Eastern Maine General Hospital to undertake to meet the increasing demands of the area, it was determined that a survey of Eastern Maine should be made, studying hospital facilities in other communities as well as our own ...that the Trustees might be informed as to the possibilities of hospital demands within the decade ahead of us." --Annual Report

Dr. Craig resigns and is succeeded by Frank C. Curran, who had served as Craig's assistant.

A medical technology program begins with three students beginning an 18-month course at EMGH, following three years of study at the University of Maine.

The blood plasma bank becomes a hospital unit when the Red Cross withdraws from its involvement at EMGH.

The Auxiliary to the Penobscot County Medical Society is established.

In 1947, "The Visiting Staff Physicians have now all returned from the Armed Services and were heartily welcomed by the Senior Staff and the Administration."

The first complete post-war year is marked by an increase of service in all departments. Despite personnel shortages and generally shortened workweeks, admissions are up by 27 percent over last year and the average daily census jumps from 218 to 244.

An anesthesiology service is established with the appointment of Clement S. Dwyer, M.D., of Bar Harbor as visiting anesthesiologist. There are already five "fully qualified nurse anesthetists."

An oral plastic surgery section added with the appointment of James R. Mabee, D.M.D.

A "program for the improvement of personnel relations" is inaugurated, consisting of written policies and practices..."our experience to date indicates that the considerable effort is very much worthwhile."

In January 1948, the Blaisdell Building opens, connecting Phillips Oliver and the Surgical Buildings; although 71 beds are equipped and ready, only half can be filled due to the severe shortage of nurses.

"The drop in (nursing school) admissions can be attributed to the ending of the war, with its emotional appeal and needs, the increased marriage rate in this age group, and greater opportunities in the business and industrial fields." --Mabel F. Booth R.N., Director of the School

"We are serving in some manner an area representing five- eighths of the geographical area of the state, as well as three-eighths of Maine's total population." --Director Frank Curran

A thoracic surgical service is added with the appointment of Lloyd Brown, M.D., to the staff.

EMGH is approved by the AMA for residency training in pathology; Dr. Ruth Salvin is named resident and Dr. James Campbell assistant resident. The medical technology school graduates its first two students.

Monthly educational meetings sponsored by the Medical Service are increasingly well attended; many presenters are "well known specialists from the medical universities."

The purchasing and stores department moves into the ground level of the new Blaisdell Building, affording centralized inventory control.

A severe poliomyelitis epidemic strikes in the summer of 1949 and lasts through the fall. A distinct polio service is set up with physicians from medical, orthopaedic and pediatric services--they devise a separate system for admissions and contagious technique. Rush shipments of respirators and hot pack machines are procured through the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. Employees from throughout the hospital are trained in the manual operation of iron lungs to insure continuous function in the event of power loss.

In February increased nursing staff enables opening of the remaining units in the Blaisdell Building.

An operating loss in excess of $100,000, resulting from inadequate reimbursement for state aid cases prompts the trustees to regretfully vote that "Excepting in emergencies and excepting to the extent permitted through the yield of the endowment. No patients (will) be admitted to the Hospital until satisfactory financial arrangements have been made."

Trustees institute a reorganization of the medical staff which results in the appointments of the first chiefs of service: Lawrence M. Cutler, M.D., chief of the medical service; Magnus F. Ridlon, M.D., chief of the surgical service; and Albert W. Fellows, M.D., chief of obstetrical and pediatric services. The three chiefs and the director of the hospital are appointed to a committee charged with establishing standards of professional practice in the hospital.