A retired nurse who lives at Fellowship at Meriweather in Baldwin County was recognized for her years of service to the profession in a ceremony last week.
Jacqueline Northington, who worked at what was known then as the Macon Hospital for 27 years, was honored in a ceremony that included a presentation by the Nurses Honor Guard of Georgia, Inc., a song by Victory Baptist Church minister Ken Walker, and some personal humorous tales by the honoree. Approximately 25 friends, nurses, and Fellowship staff members were on hand for the occasion, organized by her daughter, Cynde Neal.
Northington graduated in 1946 from Miller High School in Macon and earned her degree as a registered nurse at the Macon Hospital School of Nursing. She served as supervisor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Neuro Intensive Care and upon her retirement there, was head nurse on the staff until 1993 at the Mercer University Infirmary. The Mercer University School of Medicine was established in 1982 and four years later, Northington was in its first graduating class.
In total, Northington worked as a registered nurse for 47 years, her daughter said.
“Mom was a nurse dedicated to her selfless service to society,” Neal said. “She spent her life taking care of others, and her nursing skills remain today, as you at Fellowship all know. Her belief is giving her strength and wisdom when others need her touch.”
Among several stories Northington shared was her transportation to work on one occasion.
“There was 18 inches of snow on the ground in Macon and they picked me up in an Army truck and took me to work,” she recalled. “We might have stayed there a day or two and not even go home.”
Following other remarks, Walker sang “A Sweet, Sweet Spirit in this Place,” a song he dedicated to the nurses. The Nurses Honor Guard of Georgia then presented Northington with a ceremonial white rose.
“Jacqueline Northington, we honor you this day, and we give you this white rose to symbolize our honor and appreciation for heeding our calling,” said Amy Malcolm, one of three founders of the local chapter of the Nurses Honor Guard.
The traditional three rings and accompanying calls of the name of the individual in funerals of law enforcement officers were used by the nurses to commemorate the passing of the torch by Northington.