Notre Dame Bay Memorial Health Centre Celebrating Centennial Anniversary of Health-Care Delivery

Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services is recognizing a major milestone in the delivery of health care for the people of Central Newfoundland. On September 20, 2024, Notre Dame Bay Memorial Health Centre, in Twillingate, celebrates its centennial year in health-care delivery.

Originally named Notre Dame Bay Memorial Hospital, the 60-bed facility officially opened 100 years ago on September 20, 1924. The concept for the site was to honour loved ones who served in the Great War (World War I). Led by the residents of Twillingate, the hospital was completed after a three-year construction period at an approximate cost of $103,500.

“NL Health Services is proud of the safe, quality service that is and has been provided to the residents of the Norte Dame Bay area for the past 100 years,” said Craig Davis, Vice President – Chief Operating Officer (Interim) for Central Zone of NL Health Services. “I would like to thank all staff and physicians, past and present, for the tireless dedication and devotion in maintaining the delivery of health services for the people of Notre Dame Bay throughout the years.”

The original hospital would continue serving area residents, even after receiving extensive fire damage in 1943, until being replaced with the current health centre in 1974. Today, Notre Dame Bay Memorial Health Centre provides outpatient, emergency department, in-patient, long-term care, laboratory (blood collections), medical imaging (X-ray) and community health services within the 49-bed facility.

“Rural medicine has a long-standing history of innovation and excellence within Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Dr. Desmond Whalen, senior medical director for NL Health Services – Central Zone. “The Notre Dame Bay Memorial Health Centre has a robust history as a teaching site for learners in a variety of health-care disciplines and medical staff have had a long-standing record of clinical, community, political and academic leadership. This site is a shining example of how rural facilities and health-care providers play a vital role in the delivery of timely, effective and safe care to support positive patient outcomes. Congratulations to all on the past 100 years.”

To commemorate this milestone achievement, the town of Twillingate will be holding a 100^th Anniversary of Notre Dame Bay Memorial Health Centre celebration on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. The event will take place at the health centre – 6 Hospital Lane, Twillingate. All are welcome to attend.

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BACKGROUNDER

The early years: Interesting facts about Notre Dame Bay Memorial Health Centre

• The site was opened by Sir William Lamond Allardyce with Dr. Charles Parsons serving as the first Medical Superintendent, on September 20, 1924.
• The original site had its own water supply, electricity and a farm established with crops and farm animals to supply the hospital with food.
• It officially opened to patients on October 1,1924.
• The first baby (a girl) was born at Notre Dame Bay Memorial Hospital on October 17, 1924 to a Mrs. & Mr. Osmond.
• A nurse’s aid salary in 1925 was $10 per month.
• After being a student on staff, renowned doctor Dr. John M. Olds signed on with Notre Dame Bay Memorial Hospital in 1932, becoming the new medical superintendent in 1934.
• J.M. Olds started a floating clinic in 1936 with the 55-foot vessel the Bonnie Nell to support isolated communities.
• On February 28, 1943, a fire partially destroyed the hospital.
• The average number of patients per day in 1945 was 106.2.
• Newfoundland and Labrador’s 500,000^th citizen was born at Notre Dame Bay Memorial Hospital, Bernard Hynes, in 1965.
• Current Notre Dame Bay Memorial Health Centre opened in 1974.

Source:
Notre Dame Bay Memorial Hospital: 50 Years in the life of our Hospital 1924-1974