Cheers to 40 years at SMC

KELLOGG — “Shoshone Medical Center was like a family to me,” said Rhonda Green, who recently retired from SMC after 40 years of tireless work and dedication to the hospital.

Green has been a staple of the SMC staff, as she began working in a housekeeping position in the old SMC building at 3 Jacobs Gulch after graduating high school in 1977.

Green explained that she always pushed herself to new levels and eventually went to school and obtained her nursing certification. After years of working in nursing, she went to school for a second time and became an operating room technician (OR Tech), setting up sterile equipment and laying out sterile surgical instruments before a scheduled procedure. After a few years of working as an OR Tech, Green was offered the job of materials manager, where she spent her time organizing, storing, moving and controlling the materials in the hospital.

She became the materials manager before the newer hospital was built and has fond memories of moving over to the new building.

“My favorite memory of working there was the building of the new hospital. Working together, and helping with different pieces of the facility being built, organizing and maintaining the new building was great to be a part of.”

SMC held a retirement party for Green, on June 9, with many hugs, tears and ‘I’ll miss you’s,” filling the room with friends and family enjoying a delicious pink retirement cake.

Cendra Graham, SMC Administrative Assistant to the CEO/CFO who worked closely with Green, will miss her not only as a coworker but also as a friend.

“I will miss seeing you every day, and I'm very thankful for our friendship. I’m so happy you will be able to spend time with your husband and family.”

Green is excited to spend time with her family and take advantage of the recreational beauty of the Silver Valley.

“I’m planning on spending time with my family, going camping when the water goes down, fishing, doing some traveling, and most important, spending time with my husband.”