October 7, 2005

Celebrating exceptional service:
Ether Day celebration

The hospital's annual Ether Day celebration is a special recognition held in October on the Friday closest to the anniversary of the first demonstration of ether's use as an anesthetic, which took place at the MGH Oct.16, 1846. Ether Day also is a time to celebrate the anniversaries of MGH employees who have served at the MGH for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and 60 years. There will be a reception for MGH employees Oct. 14 under the Bulfinch tent, from 2 to 3:30 pm.

A new feature of this year's recognition will be the introduction of colored ribbons signifying years of service to replace the carnations usually distributed on the morning of the Ether Day celebration. Employees who are being recognized for their years of service will receive their Ether Day pins along with the ribbons and are encouraged to wear them proudly on the day of the celebration.

The ribbon colors signify the following years of service: red for five years, white for 10 years, turquoise for 15 years, green for 20 years, orange for 25 years, royal blue for 30 years, hunter green for 35 years, purple for 40 years, blue and white for 50 years and red, white and blue for 60 years. A formal dinner for employees who have served 20-plus years will be held Oct. 21 at the Boston Marriott Cambridge Hotel. For more information about Ether Day, visit is.partners.org/hr/New_Web/MGH/etherday.html.