BLOSS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
A very worthy cause was made possible through the kindness of George S. Bloss, Sr., in the memory of his wife, Mrs. Ella Stone Bloss, when he presented a fine hospital to the town and community of Atwater in 1936, primarily for handicapped and underprivileged children.

A unit consisting of two large wards across the front of the building, a large play-room, dining room and kitchen; a wing that contained several small cubicles for young patients; an office, a lobby, ex-ray room, room and table for minor surgery, medical supply and work room, a bath and three rooms for four private patients’ use was erected.

In front and at each side of the main building stand a nurse’s home and a building for the school. A wide porch, facing south, extends across the main building and a ramp connects the porch with the school building. The entire hospital buildings are in the entire of a pleasingly landscaped garden.

The Merced County General Hospital took over the management of the Bloss Memorial Hospital. Thomas Scandrett was the Superintendent of the General Hospital at this time. Miss Theresa Voos (1936-1938) was appointed to be the first Superintendent and Head Nurse for the Bloss Memorial Hospital.

The school was known as the Sunshine School. Here each child’s needs and schooling had to be checked and fitted to his particular case or condition. So much good was accomplished that the health of the children improved greatly.

In 1945 or ’46, the children who were cared for at the Bloss Memorial Hospital were mostly Rheumatic Fever patients. They, too, responded to careful nursing, correct diet and lots of rest. Mrs. Disney, who became the Superintendent of the hospital in 1942, is credit with the rapid progress these children made.

In 1948, came the polio epidemic; the Bloss Memorial Hospital was filled to capacity with 52 convalescing polio patients. At one time there were thirty-six registered nurses employed to care for these children. During the epidemic there seventy-six cases of polio to have been treated in this hospital, three of them were in iron lungs.

More and more patients entered the hospital, so in 1951 an addition was added to the main building by Mr. and Mrs. George Bloss Jr. This wing consisted of seven rooms (three two-bed wards and four private rooms) and a ward of six beds or more; an office, a diet kitchen and a bath. There was a large porch for sunning and a long ramp. Many people living in and around Atwater have been patients here and found it to be a wonderful place to recuperate.

In the many years of service that have been rendered at the Bloss Memorial Hospital, it would be well to mention a few names of those who were employed there: Frank De Neves, who was the custodian of the garden; Ethel Osborn, Jessie Prine, Mrs. Violette Casaretto, Mrs. Ward, Mrs. Bonham, Mrs. Alice Wayne, Miss Daley, Mrs. Claire (Cardoza) Bennight, La Verne Hobbs, Mary Perschek, Mrs. Grace Stanton, Mrs. Laura Wilson and many, many more. Helen (Kelber) Lane an Occupational Therapeutist, and Hazel Moore, a Physical Therapeutist, worked at the hospital. There were many aides who gave helpful assistance.

Many kindnesses were extended by various Clubs, Organizations and numerous people to bring happiness into the lives of these children. They were always entertained on the holidays of the year. Those who could be moved were taken to the Shrine Circus, to the Yosemite Valley and to other well known places for relaxation and fun. They had Sunday School and often groups of singers would come to sing for the children on a Sunday Evening. There is a TV in the play room for their enjoyment.

The Castle Air Force Base personnel also contributed much to the pleasures of the children; all were greatly appreciated by everyone.

Stanfield, Mary E., Brief History of Atwater, Atwater, CA, 1958
(Stanfield, p. 81-83)