OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital Nurse Retires After 60 Years
An OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital registered nurse has retired after 60 years. It's the longest tenure ever of an OhioHealth associate.
Diane Cowan, RN, officially retired from OhioHealth on April 12 at 78 years old. She started at the hospital at 18 years old in 1964, working in the nursery before becoming a psychiatric licensed practical nurse. She spent most of her career in the behavioral health unit.
“I took educational leave for college, but I've been there since I graduated high school,” Cowan told Grace McCormick of Richland Source. “I suppose most people don't stay on jobs for 60 years.”
Cowan's coworkers threw her and fellow nurse Beulah Proffitt a retirement party this month. The two registered nurses have a combined 97 years of experience at Mansfield Hospital.
“I've loved my career but I think it's time to let the younger generation take over,” Cowan said.
“Diane's literally the most positive person I've ever met,” Registered Nurse Katie Dale told McCormick. “She's always smiling and clearly, everybody loves her. She's still running circles around us. She wears me out.”
Cowan's seen a lot of change in her 60 years as a nurse. She still remembers having to mix medicines herself for IV drugs.
“We used to chart everything by hand, longhand,” she said. “Now, the computer system helps with that.”
Throughout the years, Cowan's gotten to know her patients, her patient's children, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren.
“I know whole families of patients just from working there so long,” said Cowan. “It's a great feeling to help someone get better and feel better, that's always the goal.”
Now, Cowan gets to focus on herself. She's looking forward to spending time with her family in retirement.
