Photo: Contributed

Shuswap Lake General Hospital has been serving the community six decades.

Staff and physicians gathered in the cafeteria of SLGH Tuesday for a celebratory tea and historical photo display to mark the facility’s 60th birthday.

“I offer my congratulations to the health-care teams who have, for generations, provided top-notch quality care at Shuswap Lake General Hospital,” said Minister of Health Adrian Dix. “The hospital has a fascinating history of ground-breaking work and pioneering physicians. Today we celebrate the 60 years of expert medical care provided by SLGH for people throughout the Shuswap and North Okanagan.”

With approximately 600 employees, the hospital plays an important role as a major employer in the region. It is common for families to have multiple generations working at SLGH.

One particularly inspiring family is that of Sarah (Eve) Reid, a critical care nurse. Sarah has worked in a variety of departments at SLGH since 2007, and her sister Casey Gulliford works at SLGH as a Unit Clerk. They proudly walk in the footprints of their grandmother Dr. Eve Gulliford – Salmon Arm’s first female physician and a strong community advocate until her passing in 1997.

“She was a strong, intelligent and passionate woman. She would say she had lived three lifetimes in one,” says Sarah.

Opened in 1958, SLGH is 43-bed hospital located in Salmon Arm. The hospital offers services including surgical and obstetric services, as well as a 24-hour emergency department. It also features an on-site laboratory, medical imaging, mental health and public health services.