‘What are we going to do?’: STHS fixture Rosebeth Crowe retires
Retiring St. Tammany Health System Emergency Room nurse Rosebeth Crowe, right, gets a hug from a hospital colleague on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. Crowe retired Thursday after nearly 32 years with St. Tammany. (Photos by Mike Scott / STHS)
By STHS Communication Department
St. Tammany Health System Emergency Room Nurse Rosebeth Crowe – a verifiable legend in scrubs – is hanging them up after more than 31 years on the job.
Rosebeth’s last day was Thursday (Nov. 12), which prompted an at-times tearful sendoff in the STHS cafeteria attended by dozens of hospital colleagues and administrators, a phalanx of Louisiana State Troopers and even retired STHS CEO Patti Ellish.
“What are we going to do?,” one colleague said wistfully, sharing a sentiment expressed often Thursday – before then doing what everyone else did: hug Rosebeth and eat a generous slab of her retirement cake.
“We are just so thankful for the years of service she has given to this hospital, the Emergency Room and, most of all, the community,” STHS Chief Nursing Officer Kerry Milton said in her remarks to those gathered.
Describing Rosebeth as a beacon of calm in the often-hectic environment that defines the hospital’s Emergency Department, Milton went on to praise Rosebeth’s unparalleled skills.
“She has just been a staple in terms of the quality of healthcare we deliver to the community,” Milton said.
Turning to Rosebeth, she added: “The people in this room and beyond just love you.”
Below, find a handful of images from Thursday’s sendoff.
Former STHS CEO Patti Ellish, left, offers well wishes to Rosebeth.
Chief Nursing Officer Kerry Milton, left, gives longtime STHS ER nurse Rosebeth Crowe, second from right, a socially distanced sendoff Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020.
After nearly 32 years on the job, STHS nurse Rosebeth Crowe is all smiles at her retirement party.
Retiring St. Tammany Health System nurse Rosebeth Crowe, center, poses for her adoring public during a retirement party thrown for her at the health system’s Covington hospital on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020.
STHS colleagues wait their turn to hug retiring STHS nurse Rosebeth Crowe.
STHS Chief Nursing Officer Kerry Milton, left, and longtime ER nurse Rosebeth Crowe.
Rosebeth shares a laugh.
Cake is distributed to the masses at Rosebeth Crowe’s retirement party on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020, at St. Tammany Health System’s Covington hospital.
Rosebeth chats with some of the Louisiana State Troopers who showed up to wish her well upon her retirement.
Rosebeth poses with a retirement trophy awarded to her after nearly 32 years at STHS.
A closeup of Rosebeth Crowe’s retirement trophy.
A trophy, cake and bouquet presented to retiring STHS nurse Rosebeth Crowe on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020.