The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-05-14
Il nurses RECEIVE
DIPLOMAS SATURDAY
Thomas Burke Traces History
Of Modern Hospitals at st.
Alexius Graduation

lie APPROPRIATENESS OF NaItOndl
Hospital day as the occasion for COM
mencement exercises Of st. Alexius
hospital was the keynote Of the ad-
dress delivered to the 81 graduates
by Thomas Burke, Bismarck attorney,
who was the speaker. The exercises
were held at $50 O'Clock Saturday
evening.
The stage Of the Bismarck city au-
ditorium was profusely decorated with
baskets Of roses and carnations before
the footlights. banks Of palms, pink
hydrangea which marked the center
back and the motto Of the class. Sem
per Fidelis." in gold on green back
ground suspended from the ceiling.
The graduates, with the exception Of
Sister Gwendoltne Pattock, O.s.B.,
who was on duty at the hospital, were
seated In q semi-circle and wore the
regulation caps and uniforms Of the
hospital. The class Is the largest ever
to be graduated by st. Alexius.
During the latter part Of the 10th
century and In the 20th century to
date, we have had such q period Of
progress, invention and discovery such
as the world had never before seen"
declared Burke. Evidence Of this pro-
gress is apparent on every side and
We have lost almost completely awe
and wonder at the genius which has
produced IL. We accept the fruits Of
genius as our right without thinking
Of those who, by their thought and
sacrifice, made the progress possible.
This has been particularly true In the
past 70 years in the care Of the sick
and injured.
Progress Was Unspectacular
1.-THE significance Of the advance
has escaped us, possibly because It has
been unspectacular in character and
deals with Intangible service to man
kind. It has been carried on by men
and women who have considered sue
cess In their work their only reward,
men and women who have avoided
the spotlight Of publicity and not
sought the praise Of the people.
Progress In this field Is entitled to
rank with that in transportation,
communication or any other field and
when considered from the point Of
view Of social accomplishment, far
exceeds them all.
ITO appreciate what the modern
hospital means. We must realize the
conditions prior to the beginning Of
the modern period and that the con-
ditions were = far cry from the mod
ern hospital and from the nurse Of
today"
Burke explained the accomplish
ments Of Florence Nightingale, whose
birthday inspired National Hospital
day, during the Crimean war and
traced her influence in the founding
Of the first school Of nursing ct st.
Thomas hospital in London. In 1877,
he said. the period Of modern hos
pitalixation began IN the United
States with the founding Of the first
school Of nursing In Boston, Mass. In
the following year, Bellevue hospital
In New York offered . training course
to nurses.
The Importance Of scientific and
skilled assistance for physicians y
evident, Mr.. Burke said, when It Is
considered that between 1871 and the
present the average life expectancy
has been increased BY Is years.
I'm Bismarck" he concluded, I'VE
have been particularly fortunate In
the degree In which We have shared
In this progress. You nurses who are
graduating tonight have . great op.
portunity before you for service, and
will take some part In the medical Id
vance Of the future, You have behind
you Z great history Of sacrifice and
devotion. Your motto before you,
'semper Fidelis,' will b IN inspira.
ton TO that end"
Incidental music for the program