Holy Family Hospital
Mary Whinery
Occupational Therapist
I served in the Army Medical Specialist Corp as an Occupational Therapist. I was three years active, five years in the reserves. I interned as a Second Lieutenant at Walter Reed Medical Center after obtaining my Master’s at Boston University. After my internship, I worked at Brooke Army Medical Center and the Institute of Surgical Research (Army Burn Unit). I was put on notice to be called back to work at the Burn Unit during the first Gulf War, but as it ended quickly with only 100 burn casualties, I was not deployed. I later resigned my commission and was a Captain when discharged. In addition to my own service, I served as an Army Wife when my former spouse was deployed to Iraq and had first-hand experience of the issue military families face both during and after deployment.
After active duty, I worked 18 years at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where I was their first Certified Hand Therapist. I started working at Holy Family Hospital in 2007 after moving to this area. We have a great team here at Outpatient Rehab Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy. Working at Holy Family has been a good experience as a working mother with three children. It has given me great flexibility. My role was a new position when I started. I enjoyed helping to build the practice and building relationships in the local community.
As a single mother with one child finishing high school this year and two in college, I’m very busy. I have taught CCD and been a parent volunteer for Unitas Service Days in the past. Also, I facilitate courses at the hospital and have coordinated PT and OT lectures.
Ralph Bergeron
Maintenance Lead
I worked at Hale Hospital on Buttonswood Ave from 1969 to 1970 when it was owned by the City of Haverhill. I served in the Air Force for four years, and then continued my employment with Hale Hospital from 1974 through 2001. The City of Haverhill built a new hospital in May 1984 and sold the Hospital to Essent Health in 2001. Essent sold the Hospital to Steward Health – Holy Family Hospital.
I was enlisted in the Air Force from 1970-1974, a time when many people were being drafted. I was a security policeman and stationed in Wyoming. From there I was stationed at an Air Force base in Germany. My stepfather and brother were both veterans as well, and my brother was in the Air Force and served in Germany at the same time, but was stationed at a different base.
My community involvement has been limited recently due to work and life commitments. In the past, I volunteered for the hospital at community parades and at spaghetti suppers.
Read more Steward Health Care Veteran stories:
Proud to Serve Our Country. Honored to Care for You.
