Catherine C. Simone (Cathy) graduated as an RN from Sacred Heart Nursing School in Allentown. She passed away at the age of 84 in April 2014. Her husband, William L. predeceased her. Cathy began her nursing career at the Lebanon Valley General Hospital, and after a short experience as a staff nurse, she moved to the Operating Room, thus beginning a long and impressive career as an OR nurse.
Cathy spent 21 years at LVGH, progressing from OR nurse to Operating Room Supervisor. When the torrential rain from Hurricane Agnes struck Lebanon County in June 1972, it brought flooding to the basement at LVGH. Cathy and other hospital personnel worked frantically to move supplies. She did not leave LVGH for three days, helping to manage the hospital and care for patients. Cathy’s leadership at this time helped to mitigate the damage at LVGH and the community. Her impressive leadership skills led to an exciting offer from the Good Samaritan Hospital in the summer of 1973 to set up and supervise the new OR suite to be opened at the GSH. Cathy embraced this challenge and for years managed the operating rooms of both the GSH and the LVGH. Cathy brought innovative techniques to the ORs she managed, such as early microscopic surgery techniques and a peri-operative nursing program. This program had OR nurses visiting patients prior to their surgery answering questions related to preparation for surgery.
After her retirement, she volunteered at a free dental clinic. She mentored many young women who were beginning their careers as health care providers. Cathy taught them to strive for excellence in their practice and demonstrated to them that women can hold important positions of leadership.
Nominated by Emily Simone and Ninetta Dickerson