Dorothy Futrell enjoys spending time at the Licking Memorial Wellness Center.  She works out twice a week and always takes time to talk with other Licking Memorial Health Systems (LMHS) retirees who remember her from her 33 years at Licking Memorial Hospital (LMH).  Now 90-years-old, Miss Dottie – as many affectionately refer to her – is still recognized and appreciated for her sense of humor and giving spirit. 

Dottie has lived in Licking County all her life.  She was born and raised in Johnstown.  In high school, she had considered becoming a nurse, but life lead her in a different direction.  On her 30th birthday – January 12, 1960, she was hired as a nurse’s aide at what was then Newark City Hospital, located at the corner of Buena Vista and Everett Avenues.  With four children at home, Dottie was motivated to accept the job that offered great benefits.  “Working at LMH was the best thing I have ever done,” Dottie said.  “There are so many wonderful people there and it was a good, clean job.”  She fondly remembers the hiring process and education she received from Ann Howard, a nurse and administrator who spent over 40 years in various positions at LMHS. 

After serving as a nurse’s aide, Dottie became a ward secretary, performing clerical duties for the nursing units, and later became a ward supervisor.  She did take a job at a different hospital for a short time, but soon returned because she loved the job and people in Newark.  Dottie met her husband, Bill, at Newark City Hospital.  He was the head of housekeeping at the time.  “People called him ‘Mister Clean’ because he was very serious about his job.  He wanted the facilities to look perfect,” she said.  “I used to tease him and unplug his buffer as he was working.”  Dottie also enjoyed assisting in planning the annual Christmas party for the staff, especially helping shop for needed items.

In 1966, Dottie was part of the staff who assisted in moving to the new Licking Memorial Hospital.  “I stocked the laboratory shelves and did what I could to get the new building ready for patients,” Dottie said.  “Things were very different then.  We had to shake glass thermometers in order to get them ready for use and boil catheters at the end of our shifts.  It was a real treat to go to unit-dose and single-use, disposable packages.”  Her fondest memories are of enjoying the camaraderie with her coworkers.  “We always found something to laugh and smile about,” she said. 

During her time at LMH, Dorothy wrote a number of books of poetry.  Dottie retired from LMH in 1996, but soon took a part-time job at Captain D’s as a dining room manager.  Even now, Dottie continues to work, assisting with genealogy research at the Library.  She raised her four children, Ron, Bob, Russ and Rosanna, while working.  Dottie now has 12 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great-grandchildren.