30 Years at Marshall Browning

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Minimum wage was under $3, hospital regulations were half of what they were today and the rear entrance was still where ambulances pulled into when Linda (Leroy) Whitman started working at Marshall Browning Hospital.

Whitman, 57, has worked 30 years in the hospital with jobs ranging from nurse's aid, ward cleric, business office secretary, social services, back to nurse's aid, back to ward cleric, helping with lab work, emergency room duty, OB and finally working with the Marshall Browning Estates. On Tuesday several members of the staff, many residents of the estates and family members bid her farewell at her retirement party.

"Not many people can retire at 57. I'm very proud of that. (Marshall Browning Hospital) is a great place to work. It has been very rewarding."

Of course, all of Whitman's roles came with interesting stories to tell, however, she claims, "The stories can't be told due to privacy laws." After hearing an example, she was indeed right. Though such privacy issues come common in the hospital atmosphere.

With her new free time, Whitman plans to spend more time with her grandchild, children and family.

Replacing Whitman will be Vickie Spiller, from Sesser, who Whitman has trained before retiring.