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History of St. Mary's Hospital

Founded in 1857, St. Mary’s was the first hospital established in Rochester. In 1997, St. Mary’s Hospital merged with Park Ridge Hospital (now Unity Hospital) to form Unity Health System. In 2007, Unity Health System celebrated the 150th anniversary of the founding of St. Mary’s Hospital.

Below you will find shared stories by physicians and other clinicians, Nursing School graduates, those who have worked or volunteered at St. Mary’s, as well as individuals who were born in the Hospital or received medical care here.

Helene C. Maichle, Esq.
St. Mary's Baby Alumni Association

A young medical resident at St. Mary’s Hospital gave up his dream of becoming a surgeon to help another doctor, his patients – and an ambulance wagon horse.

That resident was my late grandfather, Robert J. Maichle, M.D. (pronounced "Michael"), of Cohocton and Dansville, who was known as "Dr. Bob" to his patients during his nearly 70-year career and "Grandad" to his many grandchildren.

After graduating from the University of Buffalo Medical School in 1908, the tall, lanky young man with nose-pinching spectacles interned at St. Mary’s and then started his residency in surgery there.

My grandfather was asked to return to his hometown unexpectedly to help take care of the patients of Dr. Spaulding, an older physician in Cohocton, who had become ill. As a child, my grandfather had organized the doctor’s medicine room, where medicines and supplies were stored, and cleaned his horse barn. Dr. Spaulding became his mentor. Now he was making house calls to Dr. Spaulding’s patients and his own throughout Livingston and Steuben counties by horse and buggy.

At St. Mary’s, another resident who was next in line to pursue a specialty in surgery got that opportunity because my grandfather decided to stay in Cohocton and be a general practitioner.

As automobile horsepower replaced real horsepower, my grandfather heard that St. Mary’s was going to retire the horses used to pull its ambulance wagons with motorized automobiles. "Retirement" meant the glue factory. My grandfather fondly remembered the hardworking horses from the days of his residency, particularly a horse named "Blossom".

He took the train to Rochester and found "Blossom". Then – like Paul Revere – he rode "Blossom" back to Cohocton. He spent the night at The Big Tree Inn in Geneseo and boarded "Blossom" at a nearby stable. When they reached Cohocton, "Blossom" arrived at his retirement home, a farm with a large pasture. My grandfather visited "Blossom" often. Each time, the horse recognized him and galloped to the fence to see him.

My grandfather may not have stayed in Rochester to practice medicine, but word of his skill as a diagnostician found its way back there.

Before CT scans and MRIs became a physician’s tools, he became known for his ability to identify diseases and conditions by listening to his patients, performing thorough physical examinations, and evaluating their symptoms. He honed this skill by constantly reading medical books and journals in hospital libraries or in his office at night after seeing his last patient of the day.

St. Mary’s Hospital staff members approached my aunt, Margery M. Sauerbier of Dansville, when she worked on the men’s floor as a registered nurse shortly after her graduation from nursing school in 1947.

"‘Are you Dr. Maichle’s daughter? Oh my goodness, he was the best diagnostician we had,’ they would say to me," she recalled.

A school custodian in Dansville came to my grandfather complaining of severe back pain. My grandfather arranged to have him transported immediately to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester accompanied by a nurse, Evelyn Roberts. He told her to tell the doctors at the hospital that the man was suffering from an abdominal aneurysm.

Upon arrival, the hospital’s chief resident met the ambulance and Nurse Roberts told him my grandfather’s diagnosis.

The chief resident laughed and belittled the country doctor’s assessment. "What does he know?" he asked the nurse.

Nurse Roberts told him: "He’s no quack. He knows what he’s talking about."

The next time Nurse Roberts went to Rochester with another patient, she saw the same chief resident. "He asked her, ‘Could you see if I could work with that doctor for six months to a year? I’d really like to work under him,’" my aunt said.

My grandfather did not seem to regret changing the direction of his medical career. Because of him, people who lived far from the big city hospitals did not have to forsake good medical care. Always neatly dressed in a dark suit, crisp white shirt, a conservative tie, and shined shoes (there were no scrubs, jeans, or "Crocs" in my grandfather’s wardrobe), he never truly retired and remained sharp until his death at age 92 in 1977.

Dr. Maichle recognized "Blossom’s" contribution to medicine and did not forget that. We have not forgotten yours either, Grandad.

Helene C. Maichle is an attorney and lives in Quincy, MA. She was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in 1959 and is a member of the hospital’s Baby Alumni Association.
Alice Alves-Cutaiar
Patient, Employee

I started my affiliation with St. Mary's Hospital in October of 1956 when I was born there. (I was actually delivered by Dr. John Montione, who was mentioned in an earlier entry.) My mother always tells the story of how the church bells were ringing when she gave birth to me. 13 years later, I became a patient on the pediatric ward and in the ICU for an extended period of time due to a ruptured appendix. My daily walks with my IV pole ( and my grandmother) were down the bumpy hallway to the chapel to pray really hard to get better. I very clearly remember the many people who took care of me on a daily basis. From the communion bell ringing in the wee hours of the morning to the prayers on the overhead at night, I remember how safe I felt in the care of the doctors, nurses, secretaries, sisters, priests, transporters, volunteers, lab techs, x-ray techs, etc. That experience made me decide to be a nurse.

I attended nursing school @ Highland Hospital but went directly to St. Mary's for my first job.( St. Vincent's Hall). It was very sad when the hospital that I grew up with closed. While many things have changed at St. Mary's over the years, many things remain the same.The hallways, the elevators, stairwells, patient rooms, chapel, etc have their distinct memories.

Everything came full circle on June 24th, 2006 as I held my father's hand when he passed away in hospice care on the 6th floor. In the early hours of that morning, I remembered the many times he held my hand 36 years before that. St. Mary's will always have a special place in my heart. Congratulations on your 150th anniversary!
Bobbi Jennings
Employee (1972- Present)

I started my career at St. Mary's the summer of 1972, after completing my freshmen year at Alfred University for nursing. I worked every summer and holiday from 1972 -1975, as a nurses aide, LPN and then full time as a RN upon graduation. I was a floor nurse, then head nurse on St. Raphael's/4100 until 1988, when I transferred to Family Health Associates.

St. Mary's Hospital was a wonderful caring environment that excelled in skilled personal, compassionate care. Working at St. Mary's was like working with a big family. Everyone knew everyone. Many of my closest friends today are colleagues, I at met at St. Mary's. My family utilized the full scope of medical services offered and I delivered both of my children at St. Mary's.

I remember my days at St. Mary's Hospital fondly and with pride. As a current Unity Health employee, I feel the St. Mary's mission and core values live on at Unity Hospital and Unity Health System.
Ann Rohnke
Patient (1960's)

All 5 of our children were born at St. Mary's in the 60's, and of course each was a very memorable occasion. Before that during various years I had been a patient at the hospital for several minor surgeries. My first surgery t was for a tonsilectomy when I was age 5. Even now, I remember that day because I was scared and when I saw a Sister in the operating room, I felt completely safe because a "Sister" was there.

Also, back then our house was on a street in the Town of Gates that was right next to the farm where the Sisters of Charity grew vegetables, etc. for the hospital. If I remember correctly, the farmer there let them use his land for this. We used to see the Sisters taking walks around the neighborhood once in a while.

St Mary's was big part of the area back then. Most everyone we knew went there for medical treatment. After graduation from RIT, my sister, Kathleen Murphy, was a medical technician and worked in the lab, taking blood samples from patients. St. Mary's was a big part of my family's life.
Kristina Krizan-Boyle
Employee (10/98- Present)

I really don't have a story to tell... But I wanted to share that my mom gave birth to me at St. Mary's Hospital on Genesee St.-- and it is a pleasure that I can say that and be proud of that, since I am now a Unity employee. I was born in 1979 and when I asked her about memories of her visit, she remembers all of the nurses and doctors made my delivery to the world peaceful and with care.
Beverly Price DeNard
Graduate, Med. LabTechnology/Fmr. Employee (1963-1967)

I came to St. Mary's in 1963 for my year of internship in Medical Laboratory Technology. I had an excellent educational experience in Medical Laboratory Technology and graduated from RIT in 1964. I have carried with me the value of being a professional in the clinical laboratory & taught my students the same belief. I met so many wonderful people, some of whom, have been my professional & personal friends all of the these years. Others became my doctors and I became a patient here, too. I also met my husband here at St. Mary's & continued as a employee for 2 & 1/2 years. St. Mary's brings fond memories to me. Thanks, Bev
Peggy O'Brien Noll (1952-1987)

In many ways I grew up at St. Mary's. My mother was a nursing instructor there before I was born. My dad was an engineer in charge of the physical plant for 28 years. My four siblings and I were all born there as were my four children. When I was a child one of my greatest pleasures was going to work with my dad on a Saturday morning and just absorbing the atmosphere of the inner workings of a wonderful hospital.

My aunt used to work in the cafeteria and we would always take a coffee break there. I would visit various sisters and secretaries, go to the chapel and help various people with little projects. Through the years my parents became friends with many of the good sisters and would visit them in Emmitsburg. My favorite was Sr. Anne William Bradley, who, even though she was quite sick herself, visited my father shortly before he passed away. I remember at my father's retirement party one of his bosses told a story about my dad, who had told him some years before that he didn't really work for him, but for the sisters who ran the Hospital. I believe he considered it his privilege. It was one of our proudest moments when a conference room was named for him. I honestly don't know if that is still the case, but I do know that he was a part of St. Mary's history and St. Mary's has always been a part of our family's history.
Mary Anne Murphy Palermo
Nursing graduate, employee (1957-1963)
ICU

After graduation in 1960, I worked in the ICU, the 1st one in the city, as I recall. It was very primitive by today's standards: 2 rooms, 546 , a 2 bed room, & 548, a 4 bed room, were outfitted with extra equipment, the bathroom in between served as the nurses' station.

There were no cardiac monitors, but there was a blood pressure cuff at each bed & a crash cart in the room. With a high nurse-patient ratio, I felt I could give good nursing care. As a student, I also remember taking care of some of the 1st kidney dialysis patients. Dr. Tony Talamus was experimenting with a huge dialysis machine, like a big tub with many tubes & fluids.

Several doctors & nurses were required for the procedure, & only 1 patient could be cared for at a time. Patients were critically ill & often died soon afterwards. It was a far cry from the streamlined procedure today when some pts. can be dialyzed for years and even at home.
Lisa Orlando
Former Employee (1989-1999)
Billing Office

I worked at St. Mary's Foundation for 10 years and prior to that I did consultant work in the billing office. It was such a wonderful place to work. We were like family. You may not have known everyone by name, but everyone was friendly and spoke when you passed in the hallway. I had both of my children there. My son in 1995 and daughter in 1998. The nurses and doctors took such wonderful care of me and it wasn't just because they knew me, it was the way they treated everyone.

One of the best things St. Mary's did for its employees was the Employee Childcare Center. We were able to bring our children to work, visit them during the day and know they were very well cared for. It was a shame when the center closed, but we were all so grateful for the time it was there. I am proud to say that I was part of the "St. Mary's Family".
David Montione
Son of physician (1970-Present)

Some of my favorite memories are being with my father, Dr. John F. Montione, at St. Mary's Hospital. When I was little, my father would take me with him on Saturday mornings to the hospital when he made rounds to see his patients. I would sit at the nurses station and he would come back to get me when he was done. We would walk to the physicians lounge, check his mail, he would let me punch the button that told the operator he was not in-house any more. We would then walk to the chapel, down the hallway with the glass windows of differn't colors. We would say a prayer for my brother John and then go home. Later in life, my father didn't like to drive. I used to drive him to meetings and take him in at night when he had to take care of women in labor at St. Mary's. We would talk the whole time and always walk with each other. I really enjoyed that time with my father, I lived with my father for the first 23 years of my life, and I always felt the most close to him when we went to St. Mary's together. David Montione R.N.

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History of St. Mary's Hospital