Holyoke District Nurse Association


      The Holyoke District Nurse Association is now in its seventh year. When it was organized the people that try to make Holyoke as nearly an ideal place for residents as possible, felt that the greatest need of the hour was for proper care of the sick in homes where there was not money enough to hire a nurse. Mrs. R.S. Vining was the nurse who went to work and organized the Association. she was also its first nurse. In the first nine months of the work it was proven to be something the city must have. The calls made by the nurse during that time totalled 675.
      Last year there were 3,558 professional visit to 220 different families. The one nurse work has grown to demand two and often more nurses, and they are rushed beyond the average limit. The District Nurse goes as a health missionary into the homes of suffering and need, teaching them the laws of health along with her healing work. The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company pays for one nurse who works under the Association among cases that are connected with that insurance company. Assistance is given in other ways than the actual tending of the sick. Nourishing food is provided, needs in the way of clothing supplied, when possible, and often pressing temporary needs are satisfied.
      For a number of years Mrs. E.S. Potwin has been the District nurse.
      Two years ago a second permanent nurse had to be employed, and Mrs. Christina Tye was appointed. At times during the year two or three other nurses are employed, when the work presses.
      The officers of the District Nurse Association are: President, Mrs. F.F. Bennett; vice-presidents, Mrs. H.B. Ferris and Mrs. Frank H. Metcalf; secretary, Mrs. Charles Crook, treasurer; Ms. Walter Hatch.






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