Hello to my fellow Mercy Alums,
Summer has officially changed to Fall, and our Alumni Association has made some changes as well. I’m Mary Ann Curley McDonough, Class of 1975, and I will be taking over the role of President from Marian Kowatch Bindas. Marian has served 3 years of the “Bylaws standard 2-year term as President.” While working full-time! We are very grateful for her leadership, good ideas, dedication, and hard work. Thank you for staying on to develop our new and improved website, increase communications with email blasts and social media, expand the newsletter and begin the transition to online newsletters, and for giving us a good start on developing an online system to register for alumni events and pay dues. Well done Marian! Know that we will keep you on speed dial.
I’m taking over as President after 6 years on the Board. During that time, I worked on expanding the alumni database and making it a more useful tool for record keeping and communication. As President, I see this as another chance to give back to MHSN for preparing me for a varied and fulfilling nursing career beginning on 2 West, 6 Tower, 4 South, and PRN in the ICUs. I went on to be evening supervisor at AGH, National Head Injury Foundation, DON at a SNF, Home Care, Case Management, and after my 1st retirement, an Office Manager for a high-end interior designer…no STAT orders there, but pressure just the same! I returned to nursing again as a supervisor for a county agency, clinical liaison for a SNF, and finally as a case manager for a private company before my final retirement. I’m married with 3 children and 4 grandchildren, all of whom live in Pittsburgh. I feel very blessed and grateful for my wonderful life, and Mercy was, and still is, a big part of it.
I’m hoping to see many of you at our yearly Memorial Mass and Luncheon on Saturday, November 14 as we remember our Mercy Angels and share memories with other Mercy nurses. The theme for the luncheon is “Nursing Through the Decades.” Lots of changes in the past 50 years. We’ll share with our younger alumni the way it used to be. Who remembers standing when a doctor entered the nurses’ station, polishing our white leather Clinic shoes, and keeping an extra pair of white stockings in your locker in case you got a runner? How about our version of Epic: charting with blue ink for 7-3, green 3-11, and red 11-7. It’s wonderful how the nursing profession has progressed with each generation and moved us way beyond the handmaiden days of yore. Theresa and Chris have a special program planned, so please attend if you possibly can. RSVP by mailing in the form on the last page with your check. Last minute RSVPS, email us at mercyalums@gmail.com.
Wishing you all the best,
Mary Ann Curley McDonough ‘75
