FMC nurse calling it quits after 57 years
Barbara Ortiz is heading for retirement after becoming “a bit of a legend” at the hospital.
When Barbara Ortiz took a position at Floyd Medical Center in 1959, she had no idea that she would retire as the longest serving employee in the hospital’s history.
Ortiz has worked several positions over her 57 years in surgical services. One of those positions included the director of the operating room. She said she has many career highlights.
“I was one of the first nurses outside of Atlanta to become certified in the operating room,” Ortiz said. “I was able to start the certification program for our operating technicians and they did it a couple of years here before they had to go to Atlanta.”
Ortiz, who is set to work her last day Dec. 16, says she’ll miss her coworkers and patients the most when she leaves.
“I really have enjoyed working with the elderly patients and kids,” she said. “They have definitely made the job easy.”
Her co-workers all say that Ortiz is a dedicated, selfless worker.
“She has a lot of wisdom and has a knack in caring for the elderly patients,” Dr. Annie Cowan said. “I’ve worked over her for a few months and I am thankful to have had her around and train the younger employees.”
Jackie Newby, a retired registered nurse, said she met Ortiz when she was a student.
“If you had her as a mentor, you were doing something right,” Newby said. “She is a bit of a legend around here.”
FMC President and
CEO Kurt Stuenkel said he has been really impressed with Ortiz’s ability to jump in and adapt over the years.
“There have been so many changes and Barbara’s witnessed them all,” he said. “It’s common for nurses to work here for over 30 years, but Barbara has definitely been the first to work for over 50 years.”
Ortiz said she is excited for what comes next in her life.
“Like everyone else that is retiring, I’m excited to have a lot of free time to myself,” she said. “I will be doing anything I want to do and traveling more.”