Community nursing through the years
Our Story
In 1929, the Red Cross dismantled their Rockland public health unit, for which Eliza Steele, RN was the staff nurse. Rallying community and civic leaders, and still under the auspices of the Red Cross, Eliza Steele led the formation of this independent community nursing agency in partnership with the City of Rockland. In 1940, with the collapse of the Community Chest, the Red Cross was no longer able to financially sustain the service. Rockland Mayor Veazie and Red Cross officials called on neighbors to “save this vitally essential service for this community.”
This midcoast region has a history of quality and progressive community health care. During Ms. Steele’s tenure with RDNA until her retirement in 1969, she and her staff were familiar figures walking from visit to visit, often offered rides by passersby. Early on, Margaret Torfason, RN, joined Ms. Steele as her colleague, later following as her successor. Through the decades, and the upheavals of the Great Depression and World War II, RDNA addressed the emerging health needs of this coastal region.
Ms. Steele recruited local physicians and dentists for community wellness, vaccination and dental clinics – free of charge, including follow-up care. During outbreaks of infectious disease, the nurses identified and cared for the ill, while monitoring the progress of the disease. For generations, Ms. Steele was the nurse in the local schools, regularly screening students and maintaining student health records well before such records were mandated. RDNA understood, and continues to understand, that our community is healthy when all are able to lead healthy lives.
Eliza Steele, RN
(June 11, 1898 – March 23, 1976)
Excerpt from the Shore Village Story
“Over the years, Miss Steele greatly expanded the home health care and clinical programs of this association… She was this community’s pioneer in the establishment of adequate nursing services for Rockland residents. She baptized babies who were dying. She accompanied patients to the Bangor Mental Health Institute because some would not respond to anyone else. She assisted with adoptions; was instrumental in getting children admitted to the Baxter School for the Deaf; worked closely with our city welfare director on many family problems; aided unwed mothers before AFDC was available; testified in child abuse cases; packed toys for needy children at Christmas… taught classes in child care to Candy Stripers at Knox Hospital, and much, much more… (she) is remembered as one of Rockland’s most remarkable and dedicated citizens.”
The Rockland Bicentennial Commission, ed. Shore Village Story. Rockland, ME: Rockland Bicentennial Commission, 1989. Print.
