Thanks so much to the incredible emergency room staff at the Addison Gilbert Hospital.
Tuesday morning after my pleasant shopping break at Alexandra’s Bread, I crashed on the ice. It was bound to happen and ever since breaking my back in a harrowing fall when I was nine months pregnant, I live in mortal fear of ice. After waiting a day to see if the swelling around my ankle would subside, which it did not, I found this very handy link called the Ottawa Ankle Rules. The test is not used to ascertain if your ankle is broken or sprained, but is a practical guide to determine whether or not an X-ray is needed.
From the receptionist, to the X-ray technicians, to Doctor Soderman, everyone was kind, courteous, and compassionate. A special thanks to my assigned nurse Eileen. I am sorry I did not learn her last name, but she lives in Rockport, and when I inquired as to how long she had been working at AGH, she said so many years, she had lost track!
To say we are so very fortunate to have AGH in our community is an understatement. While mine was a very minor injury, I recalled the last time we were there at the emergency room, which was when my then nine-year-old son Alex went down the hill that is our street, Plum Street, at 90 miles per hour on his bike. He careened off the road and planted his head on the neighbor’s stone wall. The ambulance driver said had he not been wearing his helmet, which was cracked in a half dozen places, he would most likely not have survived. Alex was rushed to AGH where he received outstanding care. I will never forget how kind the nurses were during that traumatic event.
Thanks again to the dedicated and compassionate staff at the Addison Gilbert Hospital, for the care our son received at that time and, broadly speaking, for all that they do to keep our community alive and well. And thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to help keep the Addison Gilbert Hospital doors open.
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(EDIT) Great message from GMG Reader Jane Southworth, an RN and former Gloucester resident, now living in Southport, ME, where their local hospital was shut down.
Jane writes ~
“The Cape Ann community is really fortunate. I grew up in Magnolia and have lived in Southport, Maine for many years. Our community is much like Gloucester. Southport is a small community of 500 year around residents. Boothbay Harbor is a fishing community and has a strong relationship with Gloucester. The big difference is that we lost our wonderful St. Andrews Hospital two years ago after a fierce battle with the Maine Health Organization. We are located 18 miles down a peninsular from route 1 which leads to two other hospitals, each another 18 + miles depending on whether you wanted to go south or N.East. We have been left with an 8 hour Urgent Care Center. We are primarily an elderly community which says a lot for access to 24 hour emergency care especially in weather like we’ve had this winter. In the summer months this is a big tourist area similar to Gloucester. Fight for your hospital and don’t let the big guns (CEO’s and lawyers) knock you down. AGH is a great Hospital.”
Jane Southworth, RN
Who was Addison Gilbert (1808 -1888)?
Addison Gilbert was the founder of the Addison Gilbert Hospital and the Gilbert Home for Aged and Indigent Persons. He was a merchant, banker, and politician. Gilbert served many terms as a Gloucester selectman as well as in the Massachusetts legislature. He also served as town moderator and auditor. Gilbert was one of the founders of the Cape Ann Savings Bank. Addison Gilbert is buried at the Oak Grove Cemetery on Washington Street. Information and portrait of Addison Gilbert found on the web from Kenneth Gilbert.
Good Morning Gloucester 
Eileen Tebo….awesome Nurse !!
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Thank you so much Deborah for writing. So glad to know her name, yes I agree she is awesome, a truly, kind caring person.
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Kim, I am so very sorry to learn about your fall. The ice is scary on its own, and to fall is even more so. I hope you are up and around and free of pain! Lovely tribute to AGH as well. Take care.
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Yes I am and not to worry Ann. Thank you. I hope everyone bookmarks the Ottawa guide–the doctor was interested that I knew about that and joked I must be halfway through my residency–google I told him.
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OUCH!!! Get well soon!
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Jerez, I had no idea. Get well soon. You could heed Karen Pischke’s advice
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Thanks Paul and Joey. I am sorry I missed Karen’s advice–was it snowshoes? or head somewhere where there is no ice during the winter months?
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Oh my goodness, Kim! I am so sorry to hear about your fall! Happy to hear that you were in good hands at Addison Gilbert, however. Here’s to speedy healing!
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Thank you Nichole–they were truly so kind and considerate. I forgot to mention it was busy there too and they were very efficient as well. Just really can’t say enough good things.
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Many visits for many different reasons, over the years. Always excellent care.
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Get well soon and great info on Addison Gilbert. We are lucky to have AGH here!
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Thanks Valerie so much. Nice chat with your Mom and neighbor Barbara the other day. Everyone was out on Plum Street enjoying the five minutes of balmy weather!
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The Cape Ann community is really fortunate. I grew up in Magnolia and have lived in Southport, Maine for many years. Our community is much like Gloucester. Southport is a small community of 500 year around residents. Boothbay Harbor is a fishing community and has a strong relationship with Gloucester. The big difference is that we lost our wonderful St. Andrews Hospital two years ago after a fierce battle with the Maine Health Organization. We are located 18 miles down a peninsular from route 1 which leads to two other hospitals, each another 18 + miles depending on whether you wanted to go south or N.East. We have been left with an 8 hour Urgent Care Center. We are primarily an elderly community which says a lot for access to 24 hour emergency care especially in weather like we’ve had this winter. In the summer months this is a big tourist area similar to Gloucester. Fight for your hospital and don’t let the big guns (CEO’s and lawyers) knock you down. AGH is a great Hospital.
Jane Southworth, RN
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Thank you Jane for writing. Very important message and I am going to edit the post to include you comment. Thanks again for writing.
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Ouch! Sorry to hear about your fall. Glad you were in good hands. They’ve been great for us in times of need.
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Thanks Chris–really superb care and good to know your family has had great care there, too.
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Kim so sorry to hear about your fall! You are at the right place for excellent care just like one of the family here! Wishing you a speedy recovery! I did a week here in the early 1960’s they treated me very good! Dave 😦 & Kim 😦
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They are still going strong Dave. Thank you.
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