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After 40 years at Mile Bluff, Carol Purvis to retire in March Mile Bluff Medical Center has recently announced that the organization has launched a search for a vice president/chief nursing officer to fill the position of Carol Purvis who has decided to retire in March. Jim O’Keefe, Mile Bluff’s president/chief executive officer, said, “We accept Carol’s resignation with great regret. During her forty-plus years of service, she has been a driving force in the medical center’s progress from a small community hospital, to a thriving medical center with a reputation of being one of the finest rural healthcare facilities in the Midwest.” He continued, “It says a lot about Mile Bluff that people such as Carol have been with us for so many years. It’s a testament to the excellence of our organization. I’m honored to be a part of this team, and am glad that I had the opportunity to work with and learn from Carol.” Throughout her career, Carol has seen the organization go from having only a handful of doctors, to staffing 17 family practice physicians and nine family practice physician assistants (PAs), three general surgeons and two surgical PAs, three gynecologists, two emergency physicians, two podiatrists, an orthopedic surgeon, two family practice nurse practitioners, two urgent care PAs, and nearly 50 visiting specialists. Mile Bluff has also come a long way from its beginnings as a small downtown building, to the state-of-the-art facility at its current location. To further meet the needs of the community, the organization has also branched out by opening two nursing homes, three outreach medical centers, an assisted living facility and a retirement apartment complex. When asked what some of the most significant advances she has seen in healthcare and at Mile Bluff over the years, Carol stated, “Some of the biggest changes have been in the computerized area, especially in terms of CT, MRI and PET scans, as well as the use of computers for communication and for documentation.” She continued, “There have also been significant advances in some of the antibiotics and treatments we now have available in areas that we didn’t have much hope for when I first started here - especially when it comes to chemotherapy, radiation and other cancer care services.” Carol has had an amazing career of growth during her time with Mile Bluff. She began as a nursing assistant while she attended school, and became a registered nurse in 1971. In 1972 she was made the supervisor of the operating room, and in 1974 also managed the Central Supply Department. In 1978 Carol became the department head of the operating room and central supply, and then in 1981 moved to the Acute Care Department where she served as the director. Her ambition took her further in 1982 as she was named the Director of Nursing, and then ten years later she moved up to become the Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer. She has served in that same role since 1992, and according to O’Keefe, “Without Carol, our organization wouldn’t be the same. Carol works hard so we are better every day.” In discussing her career at Mile Bluff, Carol stated, “It’s always been a place that I have been very proud to say that I work at.” When asked what she will miss the most about Mile Bluff, without hesitation Carol responded, “The people. The positive stories of the lives that are touched every day.” For her retirement, Carol plans to take a deep breath and enjoy life. She looks forward to spending time in her garden during the summer months, and traveling the country to attend baseball games with her husband. In parting, Carol wishes to share a few words with the community, “Mile Bluff is very progressive and has a lot of people that are interested in the future and providing high-quality care…it’s a good place to be!” On behalf of Mile Bluff, O’Keefe wishes to thank Carol for her commitment to the organization and to the community, “It is because of dedicated individuals such as Carol that the region can count on Mile Bluff to provide healthcare evolving for life!” |
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Mile Bluff Medical Center/ 1050 Division St./ Mauston, WI 53948 / 608 847 6161 Mile Bluff Medical Center, 1050 Division Street, Mauston, WI 53948 608 847 6161 or Toll free in WI at 800 252 4377 © 2008 Mile Bluff Medical Center |
