On Thursday, the staff of Cochran Memorial Hospital celebrated the retirement of Betty Nichols.
With approximately 53 years of service to the hospital and community members, Nichols began her career as a jack of all trades.
Starting in Oklahoma, Nichols worked as a receptionist until she received her license then worked in surgery, the floor and delivery room.
“Throughout my career I had worked in all sorts of positions and I loved every bit of it,” said Nichols. “I was able to work with a lot of physicians, but the thing I enjoyed the most was people. I loved taking care of patients and I loved the people I had the opportunity to work with.”
For Nichols, saying goodbye is not easy. Essentially a second home for her, she will miss the familiar faces she has grown accustomed to.
“It was not the easiest decision to make, I am still young” explained Nichols. “I did not want to retire but my age caught up to me. I hate to say it, but it is time to let some of these younger people take over.”
With no concrete plans following retirement, Nichols is weighing the option to move to the Dallas area to be with her son and his family.
“When we transferred here from Oklahoma it felt like a move that was not going to be permanent,” said Nichols. “However, I have grown to love this area and I do not want to leave it, but sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to.”