On Friday evening, January 8, 1937, twenty five students in the Tacoma General nursing program took the first step toward graduating as nurses. The women are lined up preceding their "capping ceremony." The ceremony signifies that they have completed a probationary period of study and have been accepted as student nurses. The procession in the nurse's home at the hospital is being led by Miss Sutherling, head of the education department, and her assistant, Miss Harvey, in capes and caps. The students carry lighted candles, a symbol of the light they will bring to others, in honor of Florence Nightingale, "The Lady with the Lamp" and the founder of modern nursing. The students will receive their full graduation honors in May of 1939. (TNT 1/8/1937, pg. 2; TDL 1/8/1937, pg. 4- names in caption) (filed with Argentum)

Hospitals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma); Nurses--Tacoma--1930-1940;

On Friday evening, January 8, 1937, twenty five students in the Tacoma General Hospital nursing program took their first step toward graduating as nurses. The women received their caps, signifying that they had completed the preliminary four month basic course in theory and practice. The caps were presented by Laura Gibson (far left), Director of Nurses, in a ceremony held in the nurses' home at the hospital. The students will receive their full graduation honors when they complete their studies in May of 1939. (TNT 1/8/1937, pg. 2)

Hospitals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma); Nurses--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma General Hospital School of Nursing (Tacoma); Gibson, Laura;

Mid April 1937, Tacoma General Hospital bested their old record when 37 babies were born there in one week. Eighteen of the little ones posed for this picture from inside their glassed-in ward. Student nurse Maxine Balschley, left, held two of her charges up for the camera while Lorraine Greenough, supervisor of the maternity ward, held two more. The usual bundle production in a week at the hospital was 20-25. There were no multiple births in the week's bumper crop. (T.Times 4/15/1937, pg. 1) (filed with Argentum)

Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma); Infants; Maternity hospitals (Tacoma); Balschley, Maxine; Greenough, Lorraine;

Mrs. Genevieve (William) Hartle rests in her hospital bed after giving birth to triplets, a girl and two boys, born during the midnight hours of November 13 and 14, 1937, at Tacoma General Hospital, the first set in many years. Waunita Marie, 3 lb. 7 oz., was the first born, shortly before midnight on November 14th. William Henry, the heaviest at 4 lb. 7 oz., arrived a few minutes after midnight on the 15th followed by his brother, Warren Edward weighing in at 4 lb. 2 oz. The two lightest siblings were placed in incubators. Mr. and Mrs. Hartle were apparently shocked at the multiple births; they already had one daughter, age 3. William Hartle was a truck driver; the Hartles lived in a rural part of Tacoma. First pictures of the triplets were released on November 18, 1937, and appeared on the Tacoma Times front page. (T.Times, 11-15-37, p. 1, 11-18-37, p. 1).

Hartle, Genevieve; Mothers & children--Tacoma--1930-1940;

On November 18, 1937, Patricia Bush, a nurse at Tacoma General Hospital, was photographed while holding William Henry Hartle, one of the triplets born to Mrs. William (Genevieve) Hartle on Sunday November 14th around midnight. There had only been one other set of triplets born at Tacoma General and that was years before 1937. The first of the triplets, a girl later named Waunita (at right), was born at 11:23 Sunday night and weighed 3 lb. 7 oz. She was followed by two boys, William Henry 4 lb. 7 oz. and Warren Edward (at left) 4 lb 2 oz. The two smallest babies were kept in incubators; William was in a cloth-covered bassinet. All three of the triplets survived. They and their older sister Dorothy were still living in Washington state in August of 2000. (T.Times 11/15/1937 p.1 & 11/18/1937 p.1).

Hartle, William--Family; Triplets; Hartle, William Henry; Hartle, Warren Edward; Hartle, Waunita Marie; Bush, Patricia; Nurses--Tacoma; Incubators;

In March of 1938 the Red Top Cab Company added this state-of-the-art Packard ambulance to its fleet of vehicles. The new ambulance was considered a "hospital on wheels" that could provide complete care to patients while en route to the hospital. It is parked in front of the Tacoma General Hospital. (T. Times, 3/9/1938, p. 11).

Red Top Cab Co. (Tacoma); Ambulances; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma);

Tacoma General Hospital. Two nurses working with x-ray equipment. Patient lying on table and covered with white sheet. Pathology and clinical laboratories. Ordered by Clarence J. Cummings, Superintendent. (filed with Argentum) see also D8155 image 3

Hospitals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma); Nurses--Tacoma--1930-1940; Radiography--1930-1940;

Tacoma General Hospital. Women working in pathology and clinical laboratories. Ordered by Clarence J. Cummings, hospital Superintendent. (filed with Argentum) see also D8155 images 1, 4

Hospitals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma); Nurses--Tacoma--1930-1940; Laboratories--1930-1940;

Tacoma General Hospital. Women working in pathology and clinical laboratories. Ordered by Clarence J. Cummings, Superintendent. See also A8155 image 2.

Hospitals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma); Nurses--Tacoma--1930-1940; Laboratories--1930-1940;

Tacoma General Hospital. Women working in pathology and clinical laboratories. Ordered by Clarence J. Cummings, Superintendent.

Hospitals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma); Nurses--Tacoma--1930-1940; Laboratories--1930-1940;

Two unidentified nurses adjust the x-ray equipment at Tacoma General Hospital in April of 1939 as a patient waits lying on a table, covered chin down with a white sheet. Although by 1939 it was well known that lead was effective for protecting against x-ray exposure, neither the patient in this photo or the nurses appear to be wearing any protective lead or lead-equivalency shielding. Established in 1882 as the Fannie C. Paddock Hospital, the facility became the Tacoma General Hospital in 1912. Ordered by Clarence J. Cummings, Superintendent. See also A8155 image 3

Hospitals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma); Nurses--Tacoma--1930-1940; Radiography--1930-1940;

This Tacoma trio is leaving by automobile for a pair of medical conventions in St. Louis, Missouri. They are, left to right, Annabell Norton, photographer for the pathology clinic at Tacoma General Hospital, Dr. Benjamin T. Terry, pathologist, and Mrs. Alice Kern, technician and secretary to Dr. Terry. Dr. Terry is the originator of the latest method of rapid razor diagnosis of cancer. The trio have prepared exhibits, which they will explain at the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, May 11-14, and the convention of the American Medical Association, May 15-19, 1939. (T. Times 5/5/1939, pg. 9)

Hospitals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma); Norton, Annabell; Terry, Benjamin; Kern, Alice;

Pediatric ward at Tacoma General Hospital in September of 1939. Three children in a hospital ward. The infant in crib has a child in a bed on either side. The beds are divided by what appear to be partitions with large panes of glass and curtains. A chair for a visitor is tucked beside each bed with the seat underneath the bed. The boy on the right has something cylinder shaped over his lower body, holding up the sheet. (filed with Argentum)

Hospitals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma);

Pediatric ward at Tacoma General Hospital in September of 1939. Three children in a hospital ward. The infant in crib has a child in a bed on either side. The beds are divided by what appear to be partitions with large panes of glass and curtains. A chair for a visitor is tucked beside each bed with the seat underneath the bed. (filed with Argentum)

Hospitals--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma);

Tacoma General Hospital, Pediatric ward. The small occupants of Tacoma General's Pediatric ward had their cribs and beds separated by floor length curtains as viewed in this September 22, 1939 photograph. Framed pictures of animals and children placed on walls helped to brighten the room.

Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma); Hospital wards--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Sick children;

In February of 1940, when this photograph was taken, the Tacoma General Hospital at 315 K Street (now Martin Luther King Jr. Way) still looked much as it did when it opened in August of 1915. Since then it has undergone numerous changes including major additions in 1964, 1977 and 1982. Founded as the Fannie C. Paddock Hospital in 1882, Tacoma General is the oldest, continually operating hospital in Pierce County.

Hospitals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma);

Exterior view of Tacoma General Hospital. (T. Times, Special Edition.)

Hospitals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma);

Swimming pool provided at Tacoma General by Orthopedic Group for physical therapy. Two nurses are pictured on February 23, 1940, working with two children. The older child is already in the water kicking away.

Swimming pools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma); Hospitals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Physical therapy--Tacoma; Nurses--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In April of 1940, these patients of the Rust Memorial Ward and the Tacoma Orthopedic Clinic were able to learn their 3 R's despite being at the Tacoma General Hospital, thanks to a compact school room furnished by the Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The newly decorated room held regular classes five days a week for children with physical disabilities. Some of the children, under the supervision of the Orthopedic Clinic, were transported from their homes daily for school sessions. The schoolwork was done under the direction of Mrs. Meredith Duguay, whose services were provided by the Tacoma School District. The woman in front of the bookcase at the back of the room may be Mrs. Duguay. (T. Times, 4-19-40, p. 3-alternate picture )

School children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma); People with disabilities--Tacoma;

Mr. Clarence J. Cummings, superintendent of Tacoma General Hospital, and Mrs. Emily L. Loveridge pose in front of the hospital. On September 10, 1940, Mr. Cummings announced his retirement from the position he had held since 1918.

Cummings, Clarence J.; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma); Loveridge, Emily L.;

Mrs. Emily L. Loveridge at Tacoma General Hospital.

Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma); Loveridge, Emily L.;

Mr. Clarence J. Cummings at Tacoma General Hospital. On September 10, 1940, Mr. Cummings announced his retirement as Superintendent of Tacoma General, a position he had held since 1918. He was also serving as the President of the Association of Western Hospitals. Mr. Cummings was born March 7, 1881. He was a native of Glenco, Minnesota. During his administration of TG, the hospital established a complete diagnostic and treatment department, enlarged its clinical laboratory, began pathological service and employed a full time pathologist (1920), added x ray treatment (1922), a tumor clinic (1932), radium facilities (1934), clinical therapy (1920) and an orthopedic clinic for children (1929). (T. Times 9/10/1940, pg. 1)

Cummings, Clarence J.; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma);

Blood Bank at Tacoma General Hospital; publicity for War Chest. The War Chest was a wartime branch of the Community Chest and one of its projects was a local Blood Bank. In the photograph, a young patient is either donating or receiving blood. In 1941, the Red Cross organized the first civilian blood donor service to collect plasma for the war effort. In later years, Blood Banks sprang up across the country as medical professionals established them after seeing the success of transfusion therapy on the battlefield.

Hospitals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma); Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Blood donations; Blood transfusions;

Blood Bank at Tacoma General Hospital; publicity for the War Chest. A young patient is either donating blood or receiving a blood donation. World War II saw the first wide use of blood banks, due to advancements in the technology of storing blood supplies.

Hospitals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma); Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Blood donations; Blood transfusions;

Blood Bank at Tacoma General Hospital; Publicity for War Chest. The American Red Cross has set up a desk where civilians can register to donate blood. In 1941, the American Red Cross organized the first civilian blood donor service to collect plasma for the military troops.

Hospitals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma); Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Blood donations; Blood transfusions; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

Blood Bank at Tacoma General Hospital; publicity for War Chest. Two nurses appear to be working in the lab at Tacoma General's blood bank. Recent technological advances in the field of plasma storage had allowed blood banks to flourish.

Hospitals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma); Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Blood donations; Blood; Blood testing;

Blood Bank at Tacoma General Hospital; Publicity for War Chest. Two uniformed women and a Red Cross nurse are photographed at the TG Blood Bank in July of 1942. The women are possibly drivers for the Red Cross Motor Corps which was used to transport blood stores from one location to the next.

Hospitals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma); Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

Blood Bank at Tacoma General Hospital; publicity for War Chest. A young doctor works in the lab at the Tacoma General Blood Bank.

Hospitals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma); Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Blood donations; Blood; Blood testing;

ca. 1943. Haley twins at Tacoma General Hospital. Nell Haley beams as she holds her twin boys Jonathan and David in her lap shortly after their birth. Her husband, Frank H. Haley and daughter Janet, express their pride. Frank Haley was the son of one of Brown & Haley's founders, J.C. Haley. Also see D15512-1. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Haley, Frank; Haley, Frank--Family; Haley, Nell; Haley, Janet; Haley, Jonathan; Haley, David; Families--Tacoma--1940-1950; Twins; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma);

ca. 1943. Nurses at Tacoma General Hospital hold the newborn twin sons of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Haley. Jonathan and David Haley were born in 1943. They joined sister Janet in the Frank and Nell Haley household. Frank Haley was part of a well-known family in Tacoma. His father J.C. Haley was one of the founders of the Brown & Haley candy company. Also see D15520-1.

Nurses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma); Twins; Haley, Frank--Family; Haley, Jonathan; Haley, David; Families--Tacoma--1940-1950;