SE Illinois News

A retirement celebration

Today we held a retirement celebration for Carla Dunahay PTA, who has retired after 24 years of service at Fairfield Memorial Hospital. We are going to miss you and wish a very Happy Retirement!

Jennifer Bowers, PTA, Therapy Services Director, said it best during her speech about Carla during today's event:

I have had the privilege of working with Carla Dunahay for the past 24 years. She is only about five months shy of hitting 25 years with Fairfield Memorial Hospital. Carla has been a Physical Therapist Assistant for 44 years with her career path eventually leading her to us. Carla and I have experienced life together in the therapy department that 24 years ago employed just three of us and now has grown into a Therapy family of 17 full time employees.

Carla and I have been beside each other through many life events including the birth of my two youngest children. She counseled me through first days of kindergarten, high school and seen them off to college, married one, and has shared the experience of my first grandbaby. She has baked them countless holiday cookies and fudge, prepared their favorite Halloween treat bags, and continued this tradition for many, many years… way past them being too old to trick or treat.

We have walked in countless parades representing FMH, worked health fairs together, each with funny memories and stories that we still tell and reminisce about today.

The past several years Carla had headed up and grown our Cardiac Rehab Department lending it a wonderful reputation. This space allowed Carla’s desk to be near the back entrance. Each morning that I walked in she greeted me with a “good morning” or some uplifting or funny comment. For those of you that do not know Carla well, she will surprise you with her wit. She is the best at name that tune, anything movie trivia related, and the one things I always say, “I can’t remember, let’s ask Carla”…because she remembers everything and everyone’s name. The first day that I walked in after her retirement and she wasn’t sitting there I must admit was a little startling.

Carla has been an anchor in the Therapy department and for me. When I became the manager in 2012 the first day I walked into my new office she had jokingly set up her desk on the left side of mine. She said this is where I’ve set for the past 14 years… on your left side. She has been my left hand for many years and I’m thankful for the advice and memories, and the friendship we will have for many more.

Congratulations and Enjoy Your Retirement!!

Original source can be found here