COMMUNITY
A World War II Army nurse who later worked as a floor nurse
at what is now Plainview Hospital, part of Northwell Health,
was among the 36 veterans who enjoyed a Veterans Day
dinner hosted by the hospital at the American Legion Hall
in Plainview.
Irene Haber received an honorable mention award from
the hospital during the second-annual event and was
recognized for caregiving and exemplary service to the
United States. The 94-year-old vet worked at what was
called Central General in 1958.
"It was an incredibly rewarding experience to meet
and spend time with Ms. Haber," said one of the event's
organizers, Margaret Gurlides, assistant director of food and
nutrition at Plainview Hospital. "And it was a privilege to
honor her courageous service, along with dozens of other
veterans who have so bravely served our country."
But the nurse and associate
executive director of
perioperative services at
Plainview Hospital jumped at
the chance to attend this year's
papal Mass at Madison Square
Garden. Her sister, Mary Moore,
who serves on the board of
the Huntington's disease
unit at the Terence Cardinal
Cooke Health Care Center
in Manhattan, received two
tickets from the archdiocese.
After losing both their father,
Jim White, and their sister, Liz
Regan, to Huntington's, the
sisters helped raise about
$100,000 annually to support
treatment for the disease.
A devout Catholic, Ms. Mele
said the joy she experienced
that day seemed to be shared
by people throughout the city.
In the days after the pontiff's
visit, Ms. Mele received a steady
stream of good wishes and
curious inquiries from her
co-workers.
"People were vicariously
enjoying the visit through me,"
she said. "Pope Francis' message
of service sets him apart. He
understands that we all need
to take care of each other."
Northwell.edu
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TO FIND A PHYSICIAN NEAR YOU, CALL 1-888-321-DOCS.
VETERANS
Honoring Our
Barbara
Southard,
RN,
deputy
executive
director
of
Plainview
and
Syosset
hospitals,
sits
with
Irene
Haber,
a
US
veteran
and
retired
registered
nurse,
and
Joe
Glovack,
US
veteran
and
commander
of
the
American
Legion
Post
in
Plainview.
by Brian Harmon
by Brian Harmon
Winnie Mele
When Winnie Mele saw Pope John
Paul II at St. Patrick's Cathedral in
1995, she thought she'd just had a
once-in-a-lifetime experience.
For more information on this annual event, contact Ms. Gurlides at 516-719-2333.
Twice
the
FOR PLAINVIEW NURSE
Blessg Blessing
Several Northwell Health employees and volunteers were
among the veterans who each were greeted and saluted by
Boy Scouts from Dix Hills' Troop 309 as they walked into the
hall. Members of the Huntington Manor Fire Department's
Explorer Post 1650 served as the color guard.
Zaviera Haynes, whose father Xavier is the supervisor
of food services for Plainview and Syosset hospitals, sang
the National Anthem, and students from the Hospital and
Culinary Arts Career Academy at East Islip High School
served the food.
