Day Kimball Healthcare (DKH) recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of Mary Ellen Snyder, RN, one of the health system’s longest-serving employees. The impressive milestone was marked on February 6, 2023, and to celebrate, Putnam Mayor Barney Seney proclaimed February 6th as “Mary Ellen Snyder Day” in the Town of Putnam, in recognition of Snyder’s longevity and dedicated service to the community of Northeast Connecticut.

“We are beyond thrilled to recognize and honor Mary Ellen for devoting her entire career to Day Kimball, and we are so proud to celebrate her and this incredible achievement,” said Kyle Kramer, chief executive officer, Day Kimball Healthcare. “For the past 50 years, Mary Ellen has exemplified the qualities we celebrate in nurses – integrity, compassion, empath, and caring. She is a wonderful role model for future generations of nurses. We are so proud to highlight this accomplishment, and we thank Mary Ellen for her many contributions to Day Kimball throughout the years.” 

When asked about reaching 50 years of service at Day Kimball, Snyder said, “It feels really wonderful, and I love my job! The best thing about my job is having gotten to know all of my patients over the years. It’s like taking care of neighbors, friends and family. I knew early on as a little girl that I wanted to be a nurse and work with babies. I am now caring for a third generation of mothers, babies, and families, and I have been involved with the births and care of close to 31,000 babies in our region.”

“I would never have stayed at Day Kimball for all these years if it weren’t the hospital that it is,” Snyder continued. “It’s a special hospital, and I love this community. Some of my most special moments are when people have recognized me outside of DKH and thanked me for being present at their birth,” she said.

After graduating high school, Snyder entered the convent with Daughters of the Holy Spirit in Putnam and remained there as a nun for 14 years. Snyder received her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Annhurst College in Woodstock, CT, and in 1970, she obtained her nursing degree from St. Vincent’s College School of Nursing in Bridgeport, CT. On February 6, 1973, Snyder began her career at DKH as a staff nurse in the nursery, where her starting salary was $4 per hour.

For 39 years, Snyder worked in DKH’s Maternal Child Health unit, holding many titles in the birthing center including Head Nurse, Assistant Nurse Manager, and Nurse Manager, where she was in charge of day-to-day operations for the unit. In 2011, Snyder worked in DKH’s newly opened Pediatric practice in Plainfield, performing fetal monitoring testing and assisting with surgical office procedures until her retirement from full time work in 2012. Since her retirement, Snyder has remained with DKH, working in a per diem capacity with the Day Kimball Medical Group OB/GYN practices.

In 2019, Snyder was recognized as one of DKH’s longest serving employees for dedicating 40 or more years to the organization at that time, as part of the organization’s celebration of its 125th anniversary.

When not at DKH, Snyder enjoys traveling, painting, and cooking. She has been involved with Special Olympics fundraising, and has served on the Board of Directors of the Arc of Quinebaug Valley for many years, as well as on the Board of the Arc of Eastern CT along with her daughter, Abby. 

Photo Caption (l to r): Putnam Mayor Barney Seney; Mary Ellen Snyder, RN, DKH OB/GYN; Kyle Kramer, DKH Chief Executive Officer; and Janice Thurlow, DKH Chair of the Board of Directors, present Mary Ellen Snyder with a proclamation of February 6th as “Mary Ellen Snyder Day” in the Town of Putnam in recognition of Snyder’s 50th anniversary.