Family and friends took time out of a Sunday afternoon to attend a retirement ceremony for Edith Gurrado and Meda Howard. The pair are retiring after 103 years of service to first Starke Memorial Hospital and more recently IU Health Starke Hospital.
Meda Howard was asked about her 43 years with the hospital.
“I enjoyed the people I worked with,” she stated. “The hospital was a home away from home.”
Meda worked in housekeeping.
Edith Gurrado was asked if there had been dramatic changes since she began work in 1952 in the dietary department.
“They’re trying to improve the hospital,” she explained. “We need a good hospital so patients will decide to come here instead of going someplace else.”
Representing IU Health Starke Hospital was Thor Thordarson, CEO of IU Health LaPorte Hospital.
Meda and Edith were praised by former CEO Kathy Norem and Marketing Director Jennifer Davis for their dedication to the hospital and the people of Starke County. The pair were presented certificates by Community Hospital Board President, Ben Bennett. Also in attendance to honor the ladies were Sandy Hansen, Jerry Wilson, and Ted Hayes from the Hospital Board.
