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Boston Herald
By Gary Band
November 7, 2007
http://www.wickedlocal.com/wakefield/homepage/x1149880675
Growing up in Melrose, Joanne Sagarino
said she remembers walking past nurses
in their white uniforms on her way home
from high school. Inspired by that
constant image, she decided to attend the
then Melrose Hospital School of Nursing
and was hired to work in the med-surgery
ward in January 1957.
Half a century later, and still working three
days a week in the labor and delivery
ward where she has worked for the past
35 years, Sagarino was recently honored
at the Annual Employee Service Awards
dinner for her 50 years of service at
Melrose-Wakefield Hospital.
“I really like helping people, and that’s why I’m still there,” said the 71-year-old Hillcrest
Road mother and grandmother. “I never wanted to be or work anywhere else.”
The longest continually-serving hospital staff member, Sagarino says she most enjoys
meeting and talking to the new people she sees everyday.
Also named an employee of the month last February, she takes pride in the letters some
of her patients wrote, calling her the most caring and professional nurse they’d ever had.
Others said she was especially kind and gave a great deal of attention. Still, Sagarino
said she was amazed when she was recognized for honors.
In addition to working and spending time with her husband of 40 years, Arthur, Sagarino
likes to visit with her son and grandchild in Andover and Florida, from where she recently
returned. A member of the Congregational Church in Andover, she also knits baptismal
sweaters.
Of her work, Sagarino says she has no plans to stop. “It never gets boring, and there’s
always something to learn and something to do” she said. “No two days are ever the
same.”
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