In the beginning: A desire to serve
After Marianne graduated from Spanish Fork High School, she studied secretarial work at Utah Technical College (now known as Utah Valley University). She had a knack for typing and organization and wanted to serve in her community. One day a friend told her about a secretarial role at the city-owned hospital in Payson, called a ward clerk, and Marianne’s interest piqued.
“I put an application down and kept going back every week to check on it,” Marianne remembered. “Soon they called and asked if I wanted to take a class about how to be a Nurse’s Aide. I figured that would get my foot in the door.”
The hospital hired Marianne as a nurse’s aide for the graveyard shift, a position she served in for three years. During that time, she participated in up-close patient care, a perspective that would assist her in the future. She also learned that she preferred serving patients, providers and nurses in a non-clinical role.
“I’m only scared of needles coming at me, but still, I didn’t want to give patients shots,” Marianne said. “I liked the idea of talking to the doctors and nurses and helping them so they could help patients.”
Because hospitals are complex organizations, it takes a team of varied skills and expertise to provide top-quality care, and Marianne’s organizational skills and talents proved indispensable when she officially landed her dream role as ward clerk (a position now referred to as unit secretary).
Growing to meet community needs: HCA builds Payson Hospital
In 1977, HCA purchased the existing 93-bed facility from Payson City and constructed a new hospital east of town. The new, larger facility became known as Mountain View Hospital since most patient rooms enjoyed a commanding view of the surrounding mountains, and Marianne watched the community celebrate and welcome the pristine medical resource.
“I remember how excited everyone felt about Payson getting a new hospital,” Marianne said. “I won’t ever forget the day we moved all the patients over here. Toward the end, in the old hospital, things kept breaking — like the elevator. So, we were taking patients down two flights of stairs. Then we got here and everything was brand new and so nice.”
Marianne served the Med/Surg and Obstetrics departments within Mountain View Hospital, each housed on a different floor. As a ward clerk on the afternoon shift, Marianne hopped between the two areas, gathering lab, diet and medical orders and communicating with team members.
“It was wonderful! I loved it!” Marriane said.
Approximately 5 years later, the Operating Room (OR) team sought out Marrianne, in hopes that she’d put her organizational skills to use scheduling surgeries — and it’s something she’s been doing ever since.
“It was way different when I first started scheduling for the OR. There were maybe 10 physicians to schedule, and I wrote everything down in my book. The referring physician offices didn’t send us any paperwork; they just called and talked with me on the phone. Then, I would type up the schedule and all the information and take it to each floor so that everyone knew how many patients were coming,” Marrianne said.
Changing for the better, and one vital constant
How things have changed. The number of physicians credentialed at the hospital has increased exponentially. In addition to publicly announced additions over the years, such as surgical robotics and an entirely new surgical services department, ways of planning and communicating have changed behind the scenes.
To work in the healthcare industry for 50 years straight, one must be loyal and adaptable — and Marianne is clearly both. Marianne’s hospital days began before e-mails and fax machines, and way before electronic medical records, scheduling systems and computerized physician order entry systems.
Interpersonal communications looked vastly different! With each update and advancement in procedures and technology, Marianne adjusted and gained new skills to serve in more efficient, advanced ways.
“I’ve seen technology change quite a bit,” Marianne said humbly and with the slightest giggle. “The technology has made my job much better, but sometimes I miss the old way because I loved talking with all the people every day.”
Though face-to-face communication has changed dramatically, and the specific faces of hospital team members have changed over time, Marianne says the tight-knit feelings within the friendly hospital remain constant. In fact, it’s the people who keep Marianne coming back day after day.
“We all work well together, and they’re all still good people. They treat me like family,” Marianne said. “I don’t have a spouse or children, so in a way, they really are like my family. I will turn 70 years old in December, and I could retire any time, but I don’t know if I ever will. I’d miss the people too much.”
Marianne plans to continue serving the people in the surrounding area at Mountain View Hospital for the foreseeable future — and her team is thrilled with that!
Congratulations, Marianne on 50 years of service! Thank you for your long-term dedication! You make a difference, and you are appreciated and valued!