Triage Room Named in Honor of Sally Munger

Adventist Health Clear Lake is proud to announce that our Emergency Department’s new Triage Room will be named the Sally Munger Triage Room in honor of this exceptional Registered Nurse. Sally, a long-time nurse (now retired) and advocate of our Triage Room upgrades, shared the story of her career in her own words:

“I first entered nursing at 13 as a nurse aide at a local hospital in Pierre, South Dakota, working summers in 1948 and 1949. I helped on the women’s medical floor, caring for patients and assisting with daily tasks. We wore white uniforms that were provided by the nuns who did the laundry for the nursing school! I even took care of my younger sister who was born in the nursery. 

“After excelling in math and science, I planned a career in medical technology, but paused my education after a year of college. After nine children and a move to Washington, I returned to school, completing a nursing program with a class of 25 graduates out of 50 students. I excelled in maternal-child health and medical nursing.

“Married again, I moved to Idaho. I worked on the medical floor, then in the Critical Care Unit (CCU) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU), eventually managing a CCU unit. Later, in Bend, Oregon, I worked at the hospital and then in home health. Moving to Eureka, California, I managed a general and oncology unit, contributing to hospital policy changes.

“I ended up in Lake County. I then spent and finished 20 years at Redbud Community Hospital (now Adventist Health Clear Lake). I was a nurse in ICU, medical-surgical, cardiac rehabilitation, and Home Health. I was active in the Association of Critical Nurses and valued the blend of experience and education that shaped my career.

“Entering nursing with life experience was a real plus to my career, as I had the confidence to know what I wanted and the ability to make it happen. Nursing was my passion. I enjoyed all aspects of my practice, and firmly believe it was the right choice for me.”

Would you like to support the Emergency Department’s Triage Room project with a gift in Sally’s honor? Donate today!