This Day in Norwood History-January 24, 1957-30 Trades, Professions On Hospital’s Payroll

Norwood Hospital Administrator Charles A. Richardson likened the operation of the hospital to that of a small city when he addressed members of the Norwood Lions Club Tuesday evening at Vega Restaurant.

Mr. Richardson explained that thirty different trades and professions are represented on the hospital’s payroll, which amounts to a million dollars a year. The services of 350 people are required to keep the hospital operating 24 hours a day.

These were among the statistics related by the administrator to indicate the scope of the local operation.

The hospital last year delivered 1500 babies, ho reported.

Mr. Richardson compared hospital care today to that of 30 to 40 years ago when 28 percent of the people who entered a hospital did not recover. Many diseases which caused death in those days can now be completely cured through the use of antibiotics, he said.

The speaker touched on the blood program, stressing the need for whole blood.

Mr. Richardson had with him a Defibrillator, a device made locally, and he demonstrated how it ss used to activate the heart in cases of heart failure.

The Norwood Hospital, said the administrator, now has 150 beds and is one of the best equipped of its size to be found anywhere.

In closing, Mr. Richardson Invited the Lions Club members to be guests of the administration at the hospital at some future date.

He was introduced by Richard Zinkowski, program chairman. Vice President Robert Rizzo presided at the meeting in the absence of President Frank McQuaid.

Walter Gilbert, chairman, made a further report on plans for the Ladies’ Night to be held at the Floral Club In Wrentham on February 27.

Announcement was made that club members will meet tonight to pack eyeglasses collected in the recent drive sponsored by the Lions Club.