LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Esther Clouse Rappold, R.N., for 60
years of distinguished service to the Albany Memorial Hospital

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
just tribute to individuals who devote their purposeful lives to serving
others, expressing its highest regard and admiration for their skill and
courageous dedication to protecting and caring for the residents of our
great State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Esther Clouse Rappold, R.N., for 60 years of distinguished service to
the Albany Memorial Hospital; and
WHEREAS, Esther Clouse Rappold, 80, has been walking the corridors and
manning the beds at Albany Memorial's various locations for 60 years;
she was at work one day when she was surprised by family, along with
present and past colleagues who gathered to honor her dedication; and
WHEREAS, Esther Clouse Rappold has six decades of service in a single
career; while no longer a full-time employee, she still works two days a
week; and
WHEREAS, Now the clinical resources management assistant for the
facility, charged with reducing the number of re-admitted patients,
Esther Clouse Rappold began her career on May 19, 1953; a graduate of
the Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, she was initially an operating
room nurse when the hospital was located on North Pearl Street downtown;
she entered the field during a time when there was a marked shortage of
nurses, but it was not for that reason that she has continued in the
field; and
WHEREAS, Esther Clouse Rappold's first hospital experiences were in
the operating room, where she participated in procedures from a bygone
era, in a time before cardiac monitors, computers, or hip replacements;
she would witness the technological and advances in knowledge through
the years as she moved into a supervisory position at the emergency
department as well as, later, a similar position with the medical-surgi-
cal units; and
WHEREAS, After six decades, Rappold now holds the record for the long-
est continuous service at Albany Memorial and within the four hospital
system comprising St. Peter's Health Partners; there are 900 staff
employed at Albany Memorial and 12,500 people employed with SPHP; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to its atten-
tion, they richly merit the appreciation and support of a grateful
community and should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Esther Clouse Rappold, R.N., for 60 years of distinguished
service to the Albany Memorial Hospital; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Esther Clouse Rappold.