Site of St. Martin’s Hospital - Oliver, British Columbia - British Columbia Heritage Markers on Waymarking.com

Long Description:
The Site of St. Martin’s Hospital plaque is attached to small boulder, and based on its condition, it appears it is there for some time. It area is mostly covered with concrete There is a young tree plated next to the plaque. There is a single beach and a parking area near the small park.

Site of St. Martin’s Hospital
1942 – 1973
Operated by the Sisters of Saint Anne
Designed by Architect E. Whittaker
The Oliver/Osoyoos Hospital Society and The Oliver Women’s Institute
Are recognized for the establishment of hospital services
for the South Okanagan

ST. MARTIN’S HOSPITAL
”1942 was a significant year for Oliver, as St. Martin’s Hospital was built and opened on November 28th. The building was funded in large part by the Sisters of St. Ann, who had been contacted by the Oliver community asking for help with the project, and the nuns also managed and ran the hospital. The original five sisters who worked at the hospital included Mother Mary Mark (Superior), Sister Mary Dositheus (R. N.), Sister Mary Constantine, and Sister Mary Dunstan. The number of sisters that worked at the hospital fluctuated over the years, from as few as 4 to as many as 9.

St. Martin’s Hospital officially opened its doors on November 28, 1942. When it opened there were 11 full-time staff members who were paid 75 cents per hour. Just 6 years later, the staff had increased to 26, including 5 Sisters of St. Anne. In that year there were 1,022 admissions, 176 births, 99 major operations, 1,024 x-rays, and 199 outpatients. As of 1950, more than 1,000 babies were born in St. Martin’s Hospital.

St. Martin’s Hospital was constructed in 1942 and was run by the Roman Catholic Sister of St. Anne. St Martin’s treated many patients with T.B. and polio, which were major health issues in Oliver during the 1950s. It was closed in January 1973 and although the local community fought to try and save the hospital from demolition, it was torn down in 1981.
Source: Oliver & District Heritage Society

Type of Marker: Cultural Type of Sign: Other Describe the parking that is available nearby: Okanagan Street next to small park What Agency placed the marker?: Oliver & District Historical Society

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