Betty Shorten along with all the other Moose Jaw Union Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae were given the Health Foundation Philanthropy Award at the Health Foundation Healthcare celebration last Thursday.

The nursing school began in 1906 and had 5 nurses graduate in 1909, it continued it's success until 1970.

"In 1955 I applied to be a registered nurse at the Moose Jaw Union Hospital, I was accepted in the January 1955 class and we graduated in 1958... it was 3 wonderful years," said Shorten.

She said she was grateful for her time at the Union hospital, as well as, the life it prepared her for afterwards.

"What they did in those 3 years was a miracle, it was a miracle for me and it turned my life around. I love nursing, I nursed until I was 68 and I'm now 80 and I just have such fond memories of the Moose Jaw Union Hospital. I want to do something, I want to do something for the nurses that were all trained there."

There used to be an active group of alumnae, but it discontinued once the new hospital was built. However, Shorten said she still makes an effort to get everyone together once a year.

"There isn't an alumnae anymore but I started a luncheon for nurses and I send out about 100 letters a year and emails, many emails. The first year 40 nurses came to the luncheon and there's been as many as 96 from across Canada."

Shorten accepted the award on behalf of all the past graduates and said she would like to possibly do something to commemorate the alumnae to have on display at the Dr.F.H. Wigmore hospital.