65 Years

Sr. Virginia Ptak, fmm

From 1949 to 1968, Sr. Virginia cared for children suffering from Rheumatic Fever in St. Francis Hospital. During these years, she also worked in Radiology as a technician and obtained her license from G.E. taking evening courses. Often during late evening and during the night shift she would be called to take X-rays on someone who had developed complications after open heart surgery.

Virginia studied for her RN and graduated from Nassau Community College obtaining her license as a registered nurse. As the workload was doubling, changes had to be made. She served as a switchboard operator in the hospital during the evening shift.

While the Radiology department of St. Francis Hospital was being renovated, Sr. Virginia was missioned to Hayden, Kentucky Frontier Nursing Service and to Breckenridge Hospital for the care of persons suffering from “Black Lung” disease.

In 1976, she was missioned to St. Michael’s Community in St. Michael's, Arizona amongst the Navajo People where she worked in Rehoboth Christian Hospital.

In 1978, she was appointed the coordinator at The Alverne in Sr. Louis, Missouri. There she studied for and obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from St. Louis University in 1981. After this, she was privileged to go on a Franciscan Pilgrimage to Rome, France, Italy. Upon her return she was missioned to St. Petersburg, FL where she worked in Hospital, Home care visits and private duty nursing.

In 1983 Virginia was missioned to St. Anthony’s Community, Fall River, MA where she served in the Infirmary of the Dominican Sisters of Hope.

After this, she was missioned as the local coordinator of St Michael’s Community in North Providence She accompanied Sisters for doctors’ visits, and gave In Service Education for the nursing staff.

In 1994, Sr. Virginia returned to St. Francis Hospital, Roslyn as hospital assistant for children who came for open heart surgery from overseas and who stayed on the premises. She cared for parents and children until they completed their recovery and left for home.

Since 2004, the children now stay at the Ronald McDonald House. When they arrive, Sr. Virginia’s ministry consists of meeting parent and children, helping with doctors’ visit, pre-admission test and catheterization, final visit and discharge. She obtains charts for discharge to their country and contacts a translator when needed.