News

Nursing ‘a family affair’ for local Wangaratta family

May 12, 2021

A lot happened in 1967.

The world’s first heart transplant was performed in South Africa, the Beatles’ Sergeant Peppers album hit the charts and Wangaratta local Mary McCormack began her 47 year nursing career.

From orthopaedics to aged care, Mary’s nursing spanned thousands of kilometres, from a remote island in the top of the Northern Territory to Wangaratta.

Her passion for caring for others didn’t end with her retirement in 2014. In fact, it wore off on her daughters - Sam Cooper and Rachel York, who have reached impressive nursing milestones in their own right at Wangaratta Private Hospital.

Sam has notched up 17 years as an after-hours coordinator, while Rachel celebrates 12 years as a registered nurse. Together with Mary, they’ve spent an incredible 76 years caring for others.

“My girls have always been very caring, they make excellent nurses,” Mary said.

“I knew from the minute I started my career in nursing that it was meant to be. I love the holistic approach to all facets of nursing life and the ability to make a difference in patient care. Ramsay Health Care has provided me with many career opportunities to grow and expand my skills and I now work predominantly in anaesthetics and recovery,” Rachel said.

“I love that nursing allows me to care for people when they need it most and I love the diversity that Wangaratta Private Hospital has to offer. I also love to make friends with the people I work with,” Sam said.

This International Nurses Day, Ramsay Health Care Australia has launched an exciting new range of professional development courses as part of its commitment to grow and empower its nurses and midwives.

The four courses have been designed for all levels of experience - from graduates through to those wanting to advance to directors of clinical services. The programs will be rolled out across the country this year.

International Nurses Day still resonates with Mary and she says the profession has come a long way since she started back in 1967.

“The changes we saw over the years were extraordinary, you can travel all over the world with a nursing qualification now, it’s absolutely wonderful,” she said.