SDHB Celebrates Staff 's 40 Years of Service

Two staff at Southland District Health Board have been recognised for over 40 years of service to the organisation, said Lexie O'Shea, Interim Deputy CEO.

Mr Jim Russell (Commercial Services) and Mrs Betty Henry (Medical Imaging) commenced with the organisation as teenagers, just weeks apart in December 1967 and January 1968 respectively.

Mr Russell began as a Cadet, working across accounts, salaries and supply for the then Hospital Board offices, in Dee Street. He has held a variety of administration roles over the years and now works within the Commercial Services department.

Mrs Henry started as a Dark Room Technician, developing medical imaging films at Southland Hospital. She continued in this role for some 30 years seeing the change in imaging and film technology, and has worked in the medical imaging department's reception area for the past ten years.

Mrs O'Shea said that the pair joined SDHB's longest serving staff member, Mrs Shona Fordyce (currently in her 47th year of service ) in the "SDHB over 40 years club".

"Forty years of service is a magnificent contribution to our organisation and to our community.

"As we celebrate their 40 years of service, staff have enjoyed hearing their many stories from earlier days, as well as the changes to the health sector over that time.

"On behalf of all staff, I congratulate Jim and Betty on their 40th anniversary and thank them for their commitment and service."