Hospital History
Early Days
In its early days, Red Lake was a very isolated area. With the start of the gold rush of 1925-26, several prospectors came to Red Lake to stake claims. There were no medical services available at this time which made it quite dangerous and difficult to survive. It could take several days of travel to reach any help as medical services would arrive by dog sled or tractor train. Additionally, commercial flights did not service the area until March 1926.
In January 1926, Dome Mine hired Dr. A. J. Skelly to treat their employees. In the case of an emergency, the doctor would be called to help prospectors or other people in need, but there were no real hospitals in the area. In the Spring of 1926, Dr. William S. Fitzpatrick arrived to take over for Dr. Skelly. The Mine Assay office was taken over by Dr. Fitzpatrick and used as his doctor’s office and hospital during the day.
In 1926, Constable Lawrence Carr, an OPP Officer in Red Lake, was very worried about the lack of medical services to the area. Constable Carr had to provide first aid to prospector who was found on the trail to Red Lake. By that time, there was an air service, which provided a mercy flight to take the prospector to Hudson where he could be properly treated. This situation is what urged Carr to contact the Red Cross Society to request an outpost hospital for the area.
Upon receiving Constable Carr’s letter, the Red Cross quickly decided to set up outpost stations and hospitals in Hudson and Red Lake. In March 1926, a train car was converted as an emergency first aid post that was run by two nurses. Fred Routley, the Director of the Red Cross Outpost Hospitals, arrived by plane to visit the area and assess what was needed at the end of April. He discovered that not only was there a need for a hospital, but that there were only 2 buildings, which did not allow a residence for the nurses to live in.
In June 1926, the Red Cross sent a party to set up an outpost hospital in Red Lake. The party was led by Dr. Dingwall, who was the doctor at the Dryden outpost hospital. Everyone met in Dryden and then they travelled to Hudson, where they gathered supplies for their journey. On the morning of June 26, Dr. Dingwall, his wife, two nurses, an orderly and Maude Wilkinson, Director of Nursing for the Red Cross, left Hudson and arrived in Howey Bay (Red Lake) the afternoon of June 30, 1926. Their boat pulled 5 freight canoes of baggage, medical supplies and equipment.
When the Red Cross party arrived, they were met by Dr. Fitzpatrick. The Red Cross agreed that the outpost would be serviced by the two nurses and work alongside Dr. Fitzpatrick and the management at McIntyre and Dome mining camps. The party also spoke to Victor James, Assistant Manager of Dome Mines operation. With the help of employees from the Dome Mine, an area of 100’ x 250’ (30.5 x 76.2 meters) was cleared for the new outpost hospital.
While setting up the hospital, the women stayed in Dr Fitzpatrick’s cabin and the men stayed in Constable Carr’s tent. Since there was only the cabin and the post office, Dr. Dingwall and the orderly, Papke, helped to clear a pathway from the hospital to the post office. This pathway was named Dingwall Avenue, but later became the Main Street of Red Lake.
After the outpost hospital was set up, Dr. Dingwall, his wife and Maude Wilkinson returned home and left the two nurses, Agatha Gamble and Alma Finnie, to stay and run the outpost hospital. At that time the nurses were the only women in Red Lake, but they were treated well. Any able-bodied patients were expected to help take care of the hospital, where one of the jobs included cooking.
In the summer of 1926, the nurses noted that they admitted 13 patients, but there were no serious injuries. The most severe patient they treated had acute arthritis and he could barely move. The patient admitted that he only came to Red Lake to set up a bootlegging operation, but there was already too much competition in the area. He was the only patient who was flown out of the hospital.
In January 1926, Dome Mine hired Dr. A. J. Skelly to treat their employees. In the case of an emergency, the doctor would be called to help prospectors or other people in need, but there were no real hospitals in the area. In the Spring of 1926, Dr. William S. Fitzpatrick arrived to take over for Dr. Skelly. The Mine Assay office was taken over by Dr. Fitzpatrick and used as his doctor’s office and hospital during the day.
In 1926, Constable Lawrence Carr, an OPP Officer in Red Lake, was very worried about the lack of medical services to the area. Constable Carr had to provide first aid to prospector who was found on the trail to Red Lake. By that time, there was an air service, which provided a mercy flight to take the prospector to Hudson where he could be properly treated. This situation is what urged Carr to contact the Red Cross Society to request an outpost hospital for the area.
Upon receiving Constable Carr’s letter, the Red Cross quickly decided to set up outpost stations and hospitals in Hudson and Red Lake. In March 1926, a train car was converted as an emergency first aid post that was run by two nurses. Fred Routley, the Director of the Red Cross Outpost Hospitals, arrived by plane to visit the area and assess what was needed at the end of April. He discovered that not only was there a need for a hospital, but that there were only 2 buildings, which did not allow a residence for the nurses to live in.
In June 1926, the Red Cross sent a party to set up an outpost hospital in Red Lake. The party was led by Dr. Dingwall, who was the doctor at the Dryden outpost hospital. Everyone met in Dryden and then they travelled to Hudson, where they gathered supplies for their journey. On the morning of June 26, Dr. Dingwall, his wife, two nurses, an orderly and Maude Wilkinson, Director of Nursing for the Red Cross, left Hudson and arrived in Howey Bay (Red Lake) the afternoon of June 30, 1926. Their boat pulled 5 freight canoes of baggage, medical supplies and equipment.
When the Red Cross party arrived, they were met by Dr. Fitzpatrick. The Red Cross agreed that the outpost would be serviced by the two nurses and work alongside Dr. Fitzpatrick and the management at McIntyre and Dome mining camps. The party also spoke to Victor James, Assistant Manager of Dome Mines operation. With the help of employees from the Dome Mine, an area of 100’ x 250’ (30.5 x 76.2 meters) was cleared for the new outpost hospital.
While setting up the hospital, the women stayed in Dr Fitzpatrick’s cabin and the men stayed in Constable Carr’s tent. Since there was only the cabin and the post office, Dr. Dingwall and the orderly, Papke, helped to clear a pathway from the hospital to the post office. This pathway was named Dingwall Avenue, but later became the Main Street of Red Lake.
After the outpost hospital was set up, Dr. Dingwall, his wife and Maude Wilkinson returned home and left the two nurses, Agatha Gamble and Alma Finnie, to stay and run the outpost hospital. At that time the nurses were the only women in Red Lake, but they were treated well. Any able-bodied patients were expected to help take care of the hospital, where one of the jobs included cooking.
In the summer of 1926, the nurses noted that they admitted 13 patients, but there were no serious injuries. The most severe patient they treated had acute arthritis and he could barely move. The patient admitted that he only came to Red Lake to set up a bootlegging operation, but there was already too much competition in the area. He was the only patient who was flown out of the hospital.
1926, Red Cross Medical Party at Portage
Hospitals |
As the communities developed around the mines, there was a need for medical facilities. Each townsite had their own hospital. Most of these were quite small, and wouldn't be recognized as a hospital by modern standards, however, in the early days they provided healthcare for the region. McKenzie Island, Madsen, Cochenour and Red Lake all had their very own medical facility.
McKenzie Island Hospital (1936-1952)
Prior to opening the hospital, the mines on McKenzie Island had hired Dr. Charles “Bud” Galway. He moved to McKenzie Island in the early 1930s and helped to set up the McKenzie Island hospital, which opened in 1936.
The McKenzie Island Hospital was the best equipped hospital ever built in the district. There was a men’s ward, a women’s ward, operating room, doctor’s office and kitchen. In the basement was a laundry.
After the hospital was built, pregnant women from all the communities went to the McKenzie Island Hospital to deliver unless they chose to have their babies out of town (Winnipeg/Thunder Bay/their hometowns), at home, or at the small emergency mine hospitals run by Dr. Goodison (Red Lake) or Dr. McCammon (Madsen). The women’s ward had six beds and more could be set up if necessary.
The hospital even had an apartment for the doctor, where Dr. Charles Galway lived with his family until he built a home on McKenzie Island. After he built a home, the apartment was used as a nurse’s residence.
During the mid-1940s, Dr. George Wolfe came to Red Lake, but he only stayed a short time before moving to work in Kenora. In 1947, the McKenzie Mine Manager was being treated in a Winnipeg hospital by Dr. Emil Daniel and offered him a job at the McKenzie Island Hospital.
Dr. Emil Daniel, known as “Dr. Danny”, accepted a one-year contract. After the contract was finished, he decided to move to Madsen where he continued to practice Medicine. After the hospitals opened in Red Lake and in Cochenour in the 1940s, the McKenzie Island Hospital finally closed in 1952.
Prior to opening the hospital, the mines on McKenzie Island had hired Dr. Charles “Bud” Galway. He moved to McKenzie Island in the early 1930s and helped to set up the McKenzie Island hospital, which opened in 1936.
The McKenzie Island Hospital was the best equipped hospital ever built in the district. There was a men’s ward, a women’s ward, operating room, doctor’s office and kitchen. In the basement was a laundry.
After the hospital was built, pregnant women from all the communities went to the McKenzie Island Hospital to deliver unless they chose to have their babies out of town (Winnipeg/Thunder Bay/their hometowns), at home, or at the small emergency mine hospitals run by Dr. Goodison (Red Lake) or Dr. McCammon (Madsen). The women’s ward had six beds and more could be set up if necessary.
The hospital even had an apartment for the doctor, where Dr. Charles Galway lived with his family until he built a home on McKenzie Island. After he built a home, the apartment was used as a nurse’s residence.
During the mid-1940s, Dr. George Wolfe came to Red Lake, but he only stayed a short time before moving to work in Kenora. In 1947, the McKenzie Mine Manager was being treated in a Winnipeg hospital by Dr. Emil Daniel and offered him a job at the McKenzie Island Hospital.
Dr. Emil Daniel, known as “Dr. Danny”, accepted a one-year contract. After the contract was finished, he decided to move to Madsen where he continued to practice Medicine. After the hospitals opened in Red Lake and in Cochenour in the 1940s, the McKenzie Island Hospital finally closed in 1952.
c. 1940, McKenzie Island Hospital
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1935, Dr Charles and Dorothy Galway, McKenzie Island
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Madsen Hospital (1936-)
The Madsen Red Lake Gold Mines had a contract with Dr. Thomas Goodison to oversee the medical needs of the miners and their families and he was paid a monthly salary. Before the hospital was opened, the mine had a First Aid Box and Dr. Goodison would be on call for any emergencies.
In 1936, the Madsen Hospital opened a 3-bed hospital with a doctor’s office and a small operating room. Dr. Goodison would care for any emergencies, but as he was based in Red Lake, a resident doctor was hired. The first doctor was Denis Maxwell Smith, MD and the first nurse was Jean Smart. Unfortunately, after only being there a short time, Dr. Smith died in a tragic accident.
Dr. Joseph “Joe” McCammon moved to Madsen in November 1938 and started a medical practice in Madsen. In 1942, Dr. McCammon became very busy covering his practice in Madsen and taking over Dr. Goodison’s practice in Red Lake. After working some time in both Madsen and Red Lake, Dr. McCammon hired Dr. Peter Playfair in 1945 to work solely in Madsen and then Dr. McCammon spent most of his time in Red Lake. Dr. Moir also came to join the practice.
Even though this was a small hospital, there were operations, deliveries, doctor’s appointments and emergencies.
In the 1945, two significant things happened at the Madsen hospital. Firstly, the spring break-up took longer than usual. For 8 weeks, all expectant mothers that wanted to deliver in a local hospital were sent to Madsen as it was not safe to travel to McKenzie Island Hospital. Secondly, Madsen Hospital was used to treat many of the victims of the Red Lake Hotel Fire that took place on July 1, 1945. Dr. McCammon treated many of the victims at the Madsen Hospital and worked continuously for days. Several of the more severely injured patients were airlifted out to larger hospitals as soon as possible.
The Red Lake Hotel Fire made it clear that the Madsen and the McKenzie Hospitals were not well enough equipped to handle such a disaster. Shortly after the fire, plans for a new hospital in Red Lake commenced. Once the hospital opened in 1946, the Madsen Hospital served as a doctor’s office/clinic and all other emergency cases were sent to the new facility. Later on, Dr. Daniel arrived in 1948 to continue practicing in Madsen until he left for Dryden in 1956.
The Madsen Red Lake Gold Mines had a contract with Dr. Thomas Goodison to oversee the medical needs of the miners and their families and he was paid a monthly salary. Before the hospital was opened, the mine had a First Aid Box and Dr. Goodison would be on call for any emergencies.
In 1936, the Madsen Hospital opened a 3-bed hospital with a doctor’s office and a small operating room. Dr. Goodison would care for any emergencies, but as he was based in Red Lake, a resident doctor was hired. The first doctor was Denis Maxwell Smith, MD and the first nurse was Jean Smart. Unfortunately, after only being there a short time, Dr. Smith died in a tragic accident.
Dr. Joseph “Joe” McCammon moved to Madsen in November 1938 and started a medical practice in Madsen. In 1942, Dr. McCammon became very busy covering his practice in Madsen and taking over Dr. Goodison’s practice in Red Lake. After working some time in both Madsen and Red Lake, Dr. McCammon hired Dr. Peter Playfair in 1945 to work solely in Madsen and then Dr. McCammon spent most of his time in Red Lake. Dr. Moir also came to join the practice.
Even though this was a small hospital, there were operations, deliveries, doctor’s appointments and emergencies.
In the 1945, two significant things happened at the Madsen hospital. Firstly, the spring break-up took longer than usual. For 8 weeks, all expectant mothers that wanted to deliver in a local hospital were sent to Madsen as it was not safe to travel to McKenzie Island Hospital. Secondly, Madsen Hospital was used to treat many of the victims of the Red Lake Hotel Fire that took place on July 1, 1945. Dr. McCammon treated many of the victims at the Madsen Hospital and worked continuously for days. Several of the more severely injured patients were airlifted out to larger hospitals as soon as possible.
The Red Lake Hotel Fire made it clear that the Madsen and the McKenzie Hospitals were not well enough equipped to handle such a disaster. Shortly after the fire, plans for a new hospital in Red Lake commenced. Once the hospital opened in 1946, the Madsen Hospital served as a doctor’s office/clinic and all other emergency cases were sent to the new facility. Later on, Dr. Daniel arrived in 1948 to continue practicing in Madsen until he left for Dryden in 1956.
1987, Madsen Hospital (Courtesy of J. Richthammer)
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1939-07-14, Daily Herald - First Operation in Madsen
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Margaret Cochenour Memorial Hospital (1948-1973)
After the Red Lake Hotel Fire in 1945, Cochenour the Margaret Cochenour Memorial Hospital opened in 1948, but the official opening did not take place until 1949. The hospital in Cochenour was private and funded by the Cochenour-Willans Mine, the McKenzie Mine and the Cochenour family. Later, the Campbell Mine helped to maintain the hospital.
The hospital was named after Margaret Cochenour, wife of William M. “Bill” Cochenour and one of the owners of Cochenour Willans Mine. Margaret Cochenour was the first registered nurse to come to Red Lake. Although she did not practice in a hospital, she was always willing to treat anyone who was injured around the mining camp. Bill Cochenour set up a trust, William Mellis Cochenour Trust, for the hospital to pay an annual income to hospital. After Bill Cochenour passed away in 1964, his estate was transferred to the trust and his will stated that any money in the trust be used for medical equipment or medical research.
The hospital was built in Cochenour off of the highway, where the water treatment plant is now located. When the hospital opened, it was set up for 10 beds and 4 bassinets with more beds that could be added. There was a doctor’s office, waiting room, major operating room, minor operating room, x-ray room, kitchen and laundry. All the equipment purchased was the newest technology available. Next to the hospital was the nurses’ residence.
By 1951, hospital bed at full capacity of 20 beds (15 beds; 5 bassinets). In 1956, Dr. Weinstein was hired to work at Cochenour Hospital. He was a surgeon and known to do all kinds of surgery. He went underground to treat injured miners. In 1959, the Hospital transitioned from private to public. In 1960, Dr. Weinstein added a wing to the hospital. The extension allowed for a Maternity unit, laundry facilities, and a medical records department to be added. The doctor’s office and medical records department were moved to the extension.
After the Red Lake Hotel Fire in 1945, Cochenour the Margaret Cochenour Memorial Hospital opened in 1948, but the official opening did not take place until 1949. The hospital in Cochenour was private and funded by the Cochenour-Willans Mine, the McKenzie Mine and the Cochenour family. Later, the Campbell Mine helped to maintain the hospital.
The hospital was named after Margaret Cochenour, wife of William M. “Bill” Cochenour and one of the owners of Cochenour Willans Mine. Margaret Cochenour was the first registered nurse to come to Red Lake. Although she did not practice in a hospital, she was always willing to treat anyone who was injured around the mining camp. Bill Cochenour set up a trust, William Mellis Cochenour Trust, for the hospital to pay an annual income to hospital. After Bill Cochenour passed away in 1964, his estate was transferred to the trust and his will stated that any money in the trust be used for medical equipment or medical research.
The hospital was built in Cochenour off of the highway, where the water treatment plant is now located. When the hospital opened, it was set up for 10 beds and 4 bassinets with more beds that could be added. There was a doctor’s office, waiting room, major operating room, minor operating room, x-ray room, kitchen and laundry. All the equipment purchased was the newest technology available. Next to the hospital was the nurses’ residence.
By 1951, hospital bed at full capacity of 20 beds (15 beds; 5 bassinets). In 1956, Dr. Weinstein was hired to work at Cochenour Hospital. He was a surgeon and known to do all kinds of surgery. He went underground to treat injured miners. In 1959, the Hospital transitioned from private to public. In 1960, Dr. Weinstein added a wing to the hospital. The extension allowed for a Maternity unit, laundry facilities, and a medical records department to be added. The doctor’s office and medical records department were moved to the extension.
1952, Cochenour Hospital
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1960s, Cochenour-Willans Mine, hospital, nurses residence
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Red Cross Red Lake Memorial Hospital (1945-1973)
After the Red Lake Hotel Fire, local residents realized that they needed a larger hospital and immediately took action. On July 11, 1945, not even two weeks after the fire, a general meeting of the citizens of Red Lake was held to establish a community hospital. Dr. Joe McCammon was part of the committee and played an essential role in building the hospital in Red Lake. The old bunkhouse from the Howey Mine was sold for a nominal fee and was used for the hospital. Alfred Pugsley, the Hasaga Mine Manager, undertook the task to raise $20,000 to transform the bunkhouse into the new hospital.
The building was opened in October 1946 and Dr. McCammon was very proud of the modern hospital that they built. There hospital had a capacity for 22, 16 beds and 6 bassinets. On the first floor was the major and minor operating rooms, autoclave room for sterilizing, x-ray room, dark room for developing x-rays, a small laboratory, a doctor’s office, waiting room, kitchen, supply rooms, laundry and furnace room. On the first floor was the nurses’ residence, which had had three bedrooms, a dining/living room and bathrooms. The upper floor was reserved for the patients and included men’s and women’s rooms, a nursery, delivery room, nurse’s station, patient bathrooms, storage room and a small ward kitchen. The patient rooms had a button that connected to a switchboard on the main floor. The second floor also had an emergency fire chute. In the 1950s, an addition was added over the laundry and boiler rooms which added 2 more patient rooms. In 1965, the Red Cross undertook massive renovations that cost $30,000 to bring the hospital up to Ontario Building Codes.
The hospital was run and managed by the Red Cross. This is why the hospital was referred to by locals as, ‘The Red Cross Hospital’ unlike its official name of, ‘Red Lake Memorial Hospital’. All the nurses were from the Red Cross. There was always a matron (head nurse) who ran the hospital and supervised the other nurses. The doctors had their own practices in the different communities and were on call at the hospital. They would come in to do rounds and their scheduled surgeries. The doctors would also be called in by the nurses for emergencies or to deliver a baby. The hospital treated patients from Red Lake, Madsen, Starratt-Olsen and the northern communities.
One feature of the hospital that several of the doctors and nurses remembered was that the operating room was downstairs and the patient rooms were upstairs. There were no elevators, so the patient was often carried back upstairs on a stretcher. The task of carrying the patients up the stairs was often done by the local OPP, the doctors and/or the care takers.
Days at the hospital were not always easy, but the doctors and nurses found ways to handle most situations. In the case of an emergency, there was no ambulance. McLeod Taxi had a station wagon that could fit a stretcher in it. The taxi driver would have to go to the hospital, pick up the stretcher and then get the patient to take them to the hospital. If the patient needed a blood transfusion, the nurses had a list of all the people in town that were willing to give blood and their blood type. The nurses would then start calling people to come in and give blood.
In 1957, the nurses’ residence was built behind the hospital, located where the LCBO is now, and in December of that year, the nurses moved in. Most of the Red Cross nurses came from out of town and did not know anyone in the area. They became very close and were often like a family. Not all of the nurses lived in the residence, as some were married and lived in town.
After the Red Lake Hotel Fire, local residents realized that they needed a larger hospital and immediately took action. On July 11, 1945, not even two weeks after the fire, a general meeting of the citizens of Red Lake was held to establish a community hospital. Dr. Joe McCammon was part of the committee and played an essential role in building the hospital in Red Lake. The old bunkhouse from the Howey Mine was sold for a nominal fee and was used for the hospital. Alfred Pugsley, the Hasaga Mine Manager, undertook the task to raise $20,000 to transform the bunkhouse into the new hospital.
The building was opened in October 1946 and Dr. McCammon was very proud of the modern hospital that they built. There hospital had a capacity for 22, 16 beds and 6 bassinets. On the first floor was the major and minor operating rooms, autoclave room for sterilizing, x-ray room, dark room for developing x-rays, a small laboratory, a doctor’s office, waiting room, kitchen, supply rooms, laundry and furnace room. On the first floor was the nurses’ residence, which had had three bedrooms, a dining/living room and bathrooms. The upper floor was reserved for the patients and included men’s and women’s rooms, a nursery, delivery room, nurse’s station, patient bathrooms, storage room and a small ward kitchen. The patient rooms had a button that connected to a switchboard on the main floor. The second floor also had an emergency fire chute. In the 1950s, an addition was added over the laundry and boiler rooms which added 2 more patient rooms. In 1965, the Red Cross undertook massive renovations that cost $30,000 to bring the hospital up to Ontario Building Codes.
The hospital was run and managed by the Red Cross. This is why the hospital was referred to by locals as, ‘The Red Cross Hospital’ unlike its official name of, ‘Red Lake Memorial Hospital’. All the nurses were from the Red Cross. There was always a matron (head nurse) who ran the hospital and supervised the other nurses. The doctors had their own practices in the different communities and were on call at the hospital. They would come in to do rounds and their scheduled surgeries. The doctors would also be called in by the nurses for emergencies or to deliver a baby. The hospital treated patients from Red Lake, Madsen, Starratt-Olsen and the northern communities.
One feature of the hospital that several of the doctors and nurses remembered was that the operating room was downstairs and the patient rooms were upstairs. There were no elevators, so the patient was often carried back upstairs on a stretcher. The task of carrying the patients up the stairs was often done by the local OPP, the doctors and/or the care takers.
Days at the hospital were not always easy, but the doctors and nurses found ways to handle most situations. In the case of an emergency, there was no ambulance. McLeod Taxi had a station wagon that could fit a stretcher in it. The taxi driver would have to go to the hospital, pick up the stretcher and then get the patient to take them to the hospital. If the patient needed a blood transfusion, the nurses had a list of all the people in town that were willing to give blood and their blood type. The nurses would then start calling people to come in and give blood.
In 1957, the nurses’ residence was built behind the hospital, located where the LCBO is now, and in December of that year, the nurses moved in. Most of the Red Cross nurses came from out of town and did not know anyone in the area. They became very close and were often like a family. Not all of the nurses lived in the residence, as some were married and lived in town.
1966, Red Cross Hospital
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Dr. Crispin and Ruby dancing
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Dr. Gloster and Lorraine
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Red Lake Margaret Cochenour Memorial Hospital (1973-present)
By the end of the mid 1960s, it became evident that the hospitals in Red Lake and Cochenour were not large enough to serve the district. The hospital in Red Lake was an old building which needed several repairs and both hospitals were set up with more beds and bassinettes than they were rated. Additionally, there were two mines that that opened and increased the population of the area. By the late 1960s, discussions were underway for a new district hospital that would be able to service all of the surrounding communities.
It took a few years for all the members of the District Hospital Committee to agree on where the hospital would be located. By 1971 all the decisions were made and in 1972 work began. It was modern and well-supplied with the newest medical equipment.
The new hospital was designed to have a 44-bed capacity. It also included an Emergency Room, Maternity Ward, a Pediatrics Ward, a Physiotherapy Room, Laboratory, X-Ray Room, Pharmacy and a Major and Minor Operating Rooms. Dr. Miller-Williams had scheduled surgeries every Tuesday and Thursdays. The hospital also had offices for administration and medical records, a cafeteria, supply rooms, nurses’ station, waiting room, a doctor’s lounge and change rooms for the staff.
The Red Lake Margaret Cochenour Memorial Hospital (RLMCMH) opened on December 17, 1973. The patients were transferred from the two local hospitals and to save costs, as much of the equipment from the old hospitals was moved, such as surgical instruments. The 3 senior physicians were Dr. Anthony Miller-Williams, Dr. Michael Gloster and Dr. Eddie Vaughn. The first hospital administrator was Ernest Gee and the first Director of Nursing was Bette Busse. The Red Cross Outpost Hospital Branch oversaw the RLMCMH for the first two years, then they turned it over to the community. A Board of Governors was appointed from the community. The Hospital Board also includes the Hospital CEO, the Chief of Staff (doctor) and Chief of Nursing, who make the Board of Governors aware of the hospital needs and issues.
By the end of the mid 1960s, it became evident that the hospitals in Red Lake and Cochenour were not large enough to serve the district. The hospital in Red Lake was an old building which needed several repairs and both hospitals were set up with more beds and bassinettes than they were rated. Additionally, there were two mines that that opened and increased the population of the area. By the late 1960s, discussions were underway for a new district hospital that would be able to service all of the surrounding communities.
It took a few years for all the members of the District Hospital Committee to agree on where the hospital would be located. By 1971 all the decisions were made and in 1972 work began. It was modern and well-supplied with the newest medical equipment.
The new hospital was designed to have a 44-bed capacity. It also included an Emergency Room, Maternity Ward, a Pediatrics Ward, a Physiotherapy Room, Laboratory, X-Ray Room, Pharmacy and a Major and Minor Operating Rooms. Dr. Miller-Williams had scheduled surgeries every Tuesday and Thursdays. The hospital also had offices for administration and medical records, a cafeteria, supply rooms, nurses’ station, waiting room, a doctor’s lounge and change rooms for the staff.
The Red Lake Margaret Cochenour Memorial Hospital (RLMCMH) opened on December 17, 1973. The patients were transferred from the two local hospitals and to save costs, as much of the equipment from the old hospitals was moved, such as surgical instruments. The 3 senior physicians were Dr. Anthony Miller-Williams, Dr. Michael Gloster and Dr. Eddie Vaughn. The first hospital administrator was Ernest Gee and the first Director of Nursing was Bette Busse. The Red Cross Outpost Hospital Branch oversaw the RLMCMH for the first two years, then they turned it over to the community. A Board of Governors was appointed from the community. The Hospital Board also includes the Hospital CEO, the Chief of Staff (doctor) and Chief of Nursing, who make the Board of Governors aware of the hospital needs and issues.
Red Lake Margaret Cochenour Memorial Hospital
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c. 2003, Red Lake Margaret Cochenour Memorial Hospital
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Long term care facilities
For a long time, Red Lake area lacked a place for the elderly to live when they could no longer live on their own. For years, several of the elderly had to leave Red Lake. Many moved to Pinecrest in Kenora.
Owen J. Matthews Manor (1975-1999)
When the hospital in Cochenour closed at the end of 1973, a few businesses tried to buy the building to convert it into a business. The Cochenour Mine owned the building and wanted to keep the building for medical purposes. The building was renovated and then turned into a long-term care facility. It was named Owen J. Matthews Manor (OJMM) after Owen J. Mathews, who was a metallurgist from Cochenour Mine. He was also very concerned with the well-being and long-term care needs of the pioneers of the district. From 1957 until his death in 1968, Matthews served on the board of management of the Pinecrest District Home for the Aged in Kenora.
The building was renovated in 1974 and opened in 1975. The OJMM was division of the Pinecrest Home for the Aged in Kenora. Marjorie Pasloski, a RN, was asked to manage the day to day administration of the OJMM.
It was a 22 bed facility with 2 one-bed rooms, 2 four-bed rooms and the rest being two-bed rooms. There was a living room with a big tv, a small library, a dining room and a small chapel. When the OJMM opened, the senior residents were still very active, but needed some type of care. There were two staff on every shift, always a Registered Nurse (RN) and usually a Nurses Aide. One doctor would oversee the OJMM, who would come to check up on patients when needed.
Over the years, the residents began to need more care and the building was not set up for some of the aging residents’ needs. In the late 1980s, it was decided that a new facility should to be built. Nothing happening for several years and in the mid-1990s, discussions about building a new facility restarted. Doris Coghill was the administrator of OJMM and was in charge of moving all the residents to the new facility after it was complete. She officially closed the OJMM in 1999 and shortly after the building was torn down and the water treatment plant was put in its place.
Northwood Lodge (1999 – present)
After several years of planning, the Northwood Lodge opened in 1999. The Red Lake Margaret Cochenour Memorial Hospital wanted to run the long-term care facility, but due to funding for long-term care facilities, a compromise was made. The Northwood Lodge was built onto the Hospital building, but Pinecrest District would continue to manage the facility in Red Lake. The public voted on the name and ‘Northwood Lodge’ was the majority favourite.
Northwood Lodge was set up as a long-term care facility, rather than a seniors’ residence. There were 22 beds; most of the rooms were single bed rooms, but there were 2 two-bed rooms. The rooms had proper showers and accessible hi-low tubs installed. There was a dining room and a sun room. When Northwood Lodge opened, there was not an alert system in the resident’s rooms, but one was installed at a later date.
In 2005, an addition of 10 beds was added, which made it a 32-bed facility. With the added beds came additional funding, which could allow to hire a permanent Activation Aide to plan outings and activities. The rooms in the new wing were also equipped with permanent ceiling mechanical lifts. The Northwood Lodge, like the OJMM, is always at full capacity. Having a long-term care facility in Red Lake, allows the residence to remain in the area and be close to family members.
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