LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Bette J. Gifford, R.N., M.S.N. upon the
occasion of her retirement after 14 years of distinguished service to
Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Hospital

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body seeks to acknowledge those individuals
whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to enhance the stat-
ure of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Bette J.
Gifford, R.N., M.S.N. upon the occasion of her retirement after 14 years
of distinguished service to Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Hospital, to be
celebrated on Thursday, April 22, 2010, in Binghamton, New York; and
WHEREAS, For the past 14 years, Bette Gifford rendered faithful,
conscientious and valuable service to Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial
Hospital; and
WHEREAS, In her capacity as Director of the Youth Services Department,
Bette Gifford served with loyalty, honor and distinction; and
WHEREAS, In 1977, Bette Gifford earned her B.S. degree in Nursing from
Binghamton University; she later received her M.S. degree in Nursing in
1985 from College Misericordia in Dallas, Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Bette Gifford's background is in Nursing and Nursing Educa-
tion; for over 20 years, she worked in the field of child and adolescent
health, creating and implementing programs for youth and families;
program areas include primary care and behavioral health centers, child
care programs for teen moms, specialized services for youth in the juve-
nile justice system, teen pregnancy and substance abuse prevention
initiatives, family strengthening and home visiting services, and oral
health services for the underserved youth and their families; and
WHEREAS, A 2010 Frederic Ozanam Mission Award winner, Bette Gifford
has worked in a variety of healthcare settings, mostly in psychiatric
nursing and nursing education; before coming to Lourdes, she was active
in the community, seeking ways to advocate and find solutions to commu-
nity needs, especially for the youth; and
WHEREAS, In her official acts, Bette Gifford was governed by a keen
sense of duty and always showed a unique grasp of human problems; and
WHEREAS, During her tenure with Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Hospital,
Bette Gifford, earned the admiration, esteem and affection of her
colleagues; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Bette J. Gifford, R.N., M.S.N. upon the occasion of her retire-
ment after 14 years of distinguished service; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Bette J. Gifford.