Honouring 1,000 years of service at Winchester District Memorial Hospital

Recently, 55 Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH) staff members and physicians were honoured at the annual Long-Term Service Awards. One of those was Dr. Suru Chande, seen here teaching suturing techniques to high school co-op students.

PHOTO CREDIT - WDMH

Winchester - December 28, 2011 - Recently, 55 Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH) staff members and physicians were honoured at the annual Long-Term Service Awards.

Together, their time at WDMH totals almost 1,000 years of commitment and dedication to the patients we serve.

“It was wonderful to come together and celebrate with these dedicated individuals,” says Cholly Boland, CEO.

“I have only been at WDMH for a short time, but I was honoured to help salute those who have been here for up to 40 years. That’s incredible!”

Two well-known physicians have reached a career milestone this year, celebrating 40 years of services at WDMH: Dr. Suru Chande and Dr. Gabe Slowey.

“It doesn’t seem like 40 years. It’s like a fast rewind video looking back over this time,” says Dr. Slowey. “It has been a joy to work at the hospital and in the new super-sonic hospital we have now.”

Dr. Slowey says being a rural physician is the best job there is because you never know what each day will bring.

“I can be at the hospital in the morning visiting patients, assist with surgery, deliver a baby, head down the road to my office and then get called to perform my duties as a coroner later in the day. My colleague Dr. Duane Justus used to say that it is ‘the best game in town’ and I agree.”

Dr. Chande shares similar sentiments.

“Almost every physician who has been on staff at WDMH has stayed. If they have left, it’s for personal reasons and I think that says a lot for the hospital and the communities we care for.”

Forty years ago, Dr. Chande answered a medical journal ad and joined the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic. As a fully-trained General Surgeon, he says he has had incredible opportunities at WDMH, including honing his specialties in hand, head and neck surgery.

“We were one of the first hospitals in the region to do laparoscopic surgery and it’s all due to the incredible support from hospital staff and my colleagues at the Clinic.”

Both physicians have also embraced WDMH’s extensive teaching role, providing guidance and mentoring long before formal affiliations were developed.

“It’s very rewarding,” sums up Dr. Chande. “I continue to serve as a mentor to several past students.”