than the selling price was obviously the act of an individual who cared about her community and its future.

The local board and the Department of Health worked closely together to formulate plans for the hospital and eventually, Mr. Keith Pickard, was hired as the architect to further develop and finalize the plans for a twenty-five bed hospital.

Mr. Pickard’s plans received the approval of the board and the Department of Health and Mr. Harold MacLellan were contracted to proceed with construction of the building.

On July 6th, 1957 Community Hospital was declared officially open when Dr. Lorne Bonnell, Minister of Health, laid the comer stone.

The new building in its completed form cost a total of $125,243. The first staff appointment to Community Hospital was that of Mrs. Grace MacLeod who when approached by the board accepted the position of Matron. As Matron, Mrs. MacLeod assumed the responsi~ bilities of Administrator, General Manager and Director of Nursing.

Mrs. MacLeod's dedication to Community Hospital was beyond question. She had an apartment in the hospital so she could be avail- able twenty-four hours a day if needed.

Community Hospital’s first patient was Mr. Blanchard MacPhee ‘ of Coleman.

Members of Community Hospital’s staff in the early days were:

Grace MacLeod Isabel Stetson

Irma MacPherson Sophia Darrach Hazel Smallman Aggie Arsenault Jennie Silliker Muriel MacLean Mrs. Ivan Webb Kathleen Jelley Georgina Ferguson Lila Craswell

Leila Craswell Floyd Smallman Shirley Ellis Douglas Cornish Winnie Cheverie Ida Wedlock

Jean MacNevin Charlotte MacLean

Members of the first Hospital Board appointed at a public meet- ing held on April 22, 1955 were:

Mr. Errol Stetson Mr. E.W. Turner

Mr. R.K. Adams Dr. C.M. Dewar

Mr. Allie MacNeill Mr. A.W. Rayner

Mr. G. Russell Leard Mr. Leonard Stewart Mr. Harris Rogers Mrs. Robert Woodside Mr. Raeford Locke Mrs. Alice M. Turner

Mr. Reginald MacAusland Mrs. Irma (John B.) MacPherson

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