Graduates of the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital School of Nursing (MHMH SON) have cared for people literally all over the globe, and have contributed to the profession of nursing in practice, education, and research in many geographical areas.
The Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital School of Nursing opened in 1893, and the Class of 1980 was the school’s final graduating class. Colby-Sawyer College welcomed its first students into its baccalaureate nursing program in 1981 and is considered Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and Clinics' nursing school.
The Center for Nursing Excellence maintains nursing student transcripts for MHMH SON classes between 1925 and 1980.
Though the number of living members has decreased with the closing of the school in 1980, the association strives to support nursing education. Members in good standing are those who have paid dues for at least three consecutive years. The work of the association is overseen by its Board of Directors, which includes its four officers. The association's fiscal year runs from September 1 to August 31. The association hosts its annual meeting the fourth Saturday of September each year.
Active members of the association are defined as those who have paid dues for at least 3 consecutive years. The annual dues are $10.00 and payable to the treasurer.
History of the Alumnae/i Association
During the three years of nursing school, students developed long-lasting friendships and devotion to their school. These ties proved difficult to sever even after graduation.
In an effort to maintain these ties, sixteen graduates of the school met on May 31, 1910, paid dues, and became the charter members of the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital Training School for Nurses Alumnae Association. Association records suggest that for a number of years there was dual membership between the New Hampshire Nurse's Association and the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Association.
This relationship was instrumental in the evolution of the concept of nurse-training to nurse-education and with the appearance of male students, the group came to be known as the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae/i Association. Accordingly, the mission of the association is to promote the practice of nursing and the networking of ideas and standards among its graduates.
Contact
Tobey (DuBois) Fidler, President
MHMH SON Alumnae/i Association
tobey.fidler@gmail.com