70 for 70 history project: Telegram!

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Thursday, November 23, 2023

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70 for 70 history project: Telegram!

Mike Scott, mscott@stph.org

Note: This article is part of 70 for 70, a weekly series of history posts counting down to St. Tammany Health System’s 70th anniversary on Dec. 1, 2024. Today we offer installment No. 16: Telegram!

(STHS archive)

Dr. Felix A. Planche and his practice partner Dr. James C. Burns wanted to be there. We know that much.

But doctors are busy people, and, so, despite their desires, they simply could not attend the dedication of St. Tammany Parish Hospital on Nov. 28, 1954. Not in person, anyway.

But they found a way to send their best wishes – which brings us to the artifact spotlighted today in our ongoing 70 for 70 history series.

Installment No. 16: Telegram!

Today’s artifact: A Western Union telegram sent the morning of Nov. 28, 1954, by Dr. Felix A. Planche and Dr. James C. Burns to St. Tammany Parish Hospital Board Chairman Oliver Hebert. Among other things, the message expressed their congratulations on the hospital’s dedication scheduled for later that day.

Why it is significant: Well, for starters, it’s just cool to see an original, 69-year-old telegram, especially since Western Union discontinued telegram service in 2006.

At the same time, the email from Drs. Planche and Burns, whose practice was then located in New Orleans’ Maison Blanche building, offers a hint at what a big deal the opening of a Northshore hospital was.

Granted, Planche had a rooting interest, as a Covington native. Regardless, their message shows that the medical community of Southern Louisiana was paying attention to the years-long efforts of Northshore residents to found a hospital of their own.

Their message (which misspelled Planche’s last name) read: “Medical business makes it impossible for us to attend the hospital dedication. We wish to congratulate everyone who played a part in this great deed. Hope that the future of the hospital will be crowned with success.” (Note: Punctuation added.)

Safe to say: Drs. Planche and Burns’ hopes were realized. Seven decades later, St. Tammany Health System is still going strong and continues to grow to meet the needs of the community that willed it into being.

Do you have a St. Tammany Parish Hospital story or item to share? We’d love to hear about it! Email us at CommDept@stph.org.

Next week Installment No. 17: A touchstone to the past

Last week – Installment No. 15: Let us begin

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