Part Nine

GARSTECKI APPOINTED SUPERINTENDENT

Mr. John M. Garstecki arrived at the institution in 1951, first serving as an Administrative Assistant. In 1955, Colony Superintendent Harvey Stevens resigned to accept a position in New Jersey. In 1956, 32 year old John Garstecki was named the new Superintendent, after serving as Acting Superintendent since Mr. Stevens' resignation.

WALLACE HOSPITAL

During the winter of 1961-1962 an outbreak of Shigella Dysentary occurred which attracted nationwide attention. Numerous reporters, representing newspapers throughout the country, and representatives of the major press services descended on the institution. Thousands of words regarding the epidemic were written and broadcast on both radio and television. Plans for the new 120 bed hospital were accelerated and ground was broken for the new building in the Fall of 1962.

Wallace Hospital initially consisted of a reception center, an intensive care unit, a sub-acute unit, a chronic care unit, an isolation unit, and a physical medicine and rehabilitation unit. The services provided included medical, surgical and pathology services; nursing services; radiology; EEG-EKG; pharmacy; clinical laboratory; occupational therapy; physical therapy; nursing education; medical records and dental services.

Sources:
The Story of Southern Colony...45 Years of Progress by Henry Klimowicz, 1963;
Colony Background notes by Dr. C. C. Atherton.

Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four
Part Five | Part Six | Part Seven | Part Eight | Part Nine

 Last Revised:  July 12, 2010