Graduation Exercises of the Caterham Sanitarium by A. B. Olsen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 21, 1912

Graduation Exercises of the Caterham Sanitarium

By A. B. Olsen

The sixth class of trained nurses was graduated from the Caterham Sanitarium last July. A large number of guests and friends of the institution and the nurses gathered in the gymnasium at half past six o’clock, and partook of a bountiful supper given in honor of the graduating class. After singing the graduation hymn, “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go,” prayer was offered by Elder S. G. Haughey.

After some brief but none the less interesting and instructive remarks by Brother W. C. Sisley, chairman of the meeting, Dr. C. H. Hayton, superintendent of the Stanborough Park Sanitarium, Watford, gave the graduating address. Dr. Hayton held up to the audience the example of Christ, the Great Physician and model Medical Missionary. He related several incidents in the life of Christ showing that the Master went about doing good, healing the sick, comforting the sorrowing, and speaking words of good cheer and hope. He went about his Father’s business. The doctor told the graduates that the Lord uses human instruments to-day, and that we all have certain responsibilities, and these responsibilities increase in proportion to the educational advantages and the training that one receives. He said that they would have ample opportunities; for sickness, suffering, and disease abound in the world, and sadness and sorrow are found on every hand. He expressed the hope that they would be faithful and true to their high calling, and would be the means of relieving much suffering and accomplishing great good for the kingdom of God.

Before presenting the diplomas, Dr. A. B. Olsen gave a very brief address dealing with some of the qualities of the successful nurse. He dwelt particularly upon the importance of quietness, the quiet walk, quiet movements, quiet speaking, and the quiet but none the less skilful management and handling of the patient. He said that many nurses give little heed to one of the most important of all qualities, quietness and silence. Some nurses have a good deal to say to their patients about previous experiences with other patients, and gossip of various kinds, and this was deprecated. He then extended a hearty welcome to each member of the graduating class on joining the medical missionary ranks, and presented nurses’ diplomas to the following graduates: Miss Mabel R. Barras, Mr. David E. Delhove, Miss May Gibbs, and Miss Cordelia F. Harris. After a pianoforte solo by Mrs. Leechman, the benediction was pronounced by Elder W. T. Bartlett.

The new graduates have had no difficulty in obtaining work. Indeed, there is a dearth of trained nurses in the United Kingdom to-day, and we are not in a position to meet all the calls that come to us. There is an urgent call for a young man to go to South Africa to assist in the sanitarium work there, and we hope that one of our graduates will be able to accept this call.

A. B. OLSEN, M. D.