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.