Nurses say Thank You
By Janet Stothart

On October 25, 2003 at 3pm, Nursing Graduates of the Miramichi Hospital and guests assembled on the grounds of the new Court House, 673 King George Highway, to pay tribute to a man well known in his day for his generosity and love of the people of the Miramichi.

In 1915, after citizens of the Miramichi were unable to raise funds to build a hospital, David Alexander Ernest Hutchison agreed to pay for the hospital himself. The cornerstone was laid on July 1, 1915, and the fully equipped hospital was officially opened on July 1, 1916.

The only provision attached to this substantial gift was that a representative of the Highland Society would always have a seat on the Hospital Board of Trustees. When the Hospital was opened, Mr. Hutchison did not want his name mentioned — he was apparently interested in fulfilling a long-felt need rather than talking about the cost.

When the hospital was being torn down, the Nurses Alumnae wrote to then MLA, Honourable Kim Jardine asking if a tribute to Mr. Hutchison could be placed in or on the grounds of the courthouse. She was very helpful in referring the group to the Department of Supply and Services who referred the request to the Department of Justice.

In November 2001, the group was delighted to hear that a patio area would be constructed on the grounds using sandstone and the original pillars from the front of the hospital. The Nurses’ Group would be permitted to make a financial contribution to this area and place a plaque on the easterly sandstone wall.

Participating in the service of dedication of the plaque were: Deputy Mayor Frank Trevors, MLA John Foran, Reverend Father Henry McGrath, Reverend Ron Feltmate, Piper Winston Curtis, Mr. Jack Ullock Curator of Rankin House and Miramichi Hospital Nursing Graduates. Jean Morris, class of 1926 and one of the oldest living graduates, and Marlene Nowlan, Class of 1973 and the youngest Nursing Graduate unveiled the plaque, which was draped in the Miramichi Tartan.

The plaque in both official languages reads: "A contribution to this area has been made by the Nursing Graduates of the Miramichi Hospital as a tribute to Mr. Ernest Hutchison. Mr. Hutchison’s generous gift of a Hospital to the people of the Miramichi was opened on this site in 1916, and continued in service until 1996."

Prayers offered by Father Henry McGrath and Reverend Ron Feltmate provided a time for those present to reflect on their gratitude for Mr. Hutchison’s gift as well as for the many people from the past and present who dedicate themselves to provide care to the people of the Miramichi.

This was also a time of healing — although sad to see the hospital torn down, it was very gratifying to see the sandstone from the hospital used so effectively on the front of the magnificent Court House now standing on the hospital site.

This is truly not only a tribute to Mr. Hutchison, but also to the sensitivity and respect shown by the Department of Justice and all others who brought this to pass.

The Miramichi Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae are very grateful they were permitted to place this tribute to Mr. Ernest Hutchison on this site.