Patricia “Pat” McClelland, surgery support tech, Blessing Surgery Center, retires July 10 after 30 years of service.
A graduate of Unity High School in Mendon, McClelland went on to graduate from John Wood Community College’s certified nurse assistant (CNA) program in 1978. She began her career at North Adams Home in Mendon, and eventually joined Blessing Hospital.
In her time at Blessing, McClelland received the monthly Blessing Hospital MVP employee award in May 1997 and was nominated for the Community CNA of the Year award in 1999. In addition to the Surgery Center, she worked in Home Care, the Emergency Center, Intensive Care Unit, and Pain Clinic over her 30-year career.
McClelland’s love of caring for people began early in life.
“When I was 13 years old, I helped take care of my uncle after he had a stroke, so my aunt could go to work every day,” she said. “Then, when I had a paper route, I had two ladies on the route who had strokes. I would check on them every day to make sure they were doing well.”
“I’ve been in healthcare 47 years,” she concluded. “I enjoyed every minute of it. I’m going to miss it.”