After nearly five decades as a nurse, Ruth Osburn is hanging up her scrubs.
Osburn, who worked as a certified occupational health nurse specialist for the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s (ERDC) Health Services Office for 17 years, officially retired Friday, July 12, after a 49-year nursing career. Before joining ERDC in 2007, Osburn worked more than 30 years in Intensive Care Units, which included two Veterans Affairs hospitals, before switching to occupational nursing.
When reflecting on her career and her decision to retire, Osburn felt fulfilled. She expressed comfort in clearing the way for the next generation of nurses who will lead Health Services into the future.
“It’s simply time to pass the torch,” said Osburn. “I feel good about the people I’ve worked with here. Leslie Grammar and I have worked together since 2015, and Jenni Piazza Taylor is an experienced occupational health nurse who’s transferring from the Vicksburg District and will fit in easily. We have an experienced team of nurses, so I’m happy to know that as I step aside, Health Services will be in good hands.”
A highlight of Osburn’s ERDC tenure was spearheading blood drives as part of the organization’s partnership with Mississippi Blood Services (MBS). Themed after the television show “M*A*S*H*, the last drive gifted donors with olive green shirts to bolster participation and show how vital giving blood is to those in need.
“It’s important to donate blood if eligible because there are so many people whose lives depend on blood transfusions. By donating a single unit of blood, you could help save lives of three recipients, including those suffering multiple bone and tissue injuries in a horrific car accident. Donating blood could also help someone awaiting open heart surgery or cancer treatment,” Osburn said. “It could be an immediate need when someone needs blood, so donating is critical.”
In 2022, Osburn’s efforts helped lead ERDC to become a top business producer of blood for the state of Mississippi with over 500 donated units. The accomplishment is a testament to Osburn's understanding of blood’s value.
“I’ve always been a blood donor because I know how much of a gift blood could be to someone who needs it. When you need blood, you need blood. There’s no substitute for it.”
Osburn’s work with ERDC and MBS was celebrated by her colleagues during a recent retirement ceremony in the ERDC Headquarters Atrium. People from across the Vicksburg site came to wish her a happy retirement. Seeing everyone show their appreciation gave Osburn joy and pride in how well the Health Service Office cares for ERDC employees.
“I was overwhelmed with joy. When I saw people from our laboratories there, it showed the range of people that ERDC Health Services treats. It doesn’t matter who you are; we’re here to help. I was thrilled to see them at the retirement ceremony to show their appreciation for servicing them.”
To top it off, Osburn got to share her moment with her daughter.
“My daughter was there, and I was happy she shared the moment with me. I had my nursing hat there, and she realized that she’d never seen it before. I put it away long ago because nurses were done wearing them by the time I became a mother. She also had not seen my nursing school graduation picture in a very long time and got a new appreciation for what her mother has done in healthcare. She was overwhelmed by the supporters, too.”
With more free time on her schedule, Osburn will have more opportunities to dive into her hobbies—that is, of course, after she rests.
“The first thing I plan to do is slow down because I’m tired. After that, I look forward to getting back to yard work. I have 11 acres and used to mow 5 of them, but working so much and being tired afterward didn't allow me to get outside,” Osburn said. “Now that I have time, I plan to play outside a little and do more things in my yard. I also have projects such as refinishing a desk and quilting that I look forward to doing. I have a bunch of reading to do, and I want to start gardening and canning vegetables again.”
Retirement will also allow Osburn to play music more and reignite her piano lessons.
“Most of all, I love music. God gave me the ability to play music when I was a little girl. I am the organist at Messiah Lutheran Church and have been an organist since 1970. I have been playing for ‘Gold in the Hills,’ a melodrama at the Vicksburg Theater Guild, since 2002, and I will continue to teach piano students of any age. Teaching piano and making music is fun for me. Hopefully, I’ll find a new group of students to train.”
From using her nursing expertise to helping revitalize the health of others to teaching and enhancing students’ musical capabilities, Osburn is thankful to live a life exercising her gift and passion for caring for others.
“Helping people is what I’ve been blessed to do. It’s not my glory. I don’t care about the glory. God has given me the ability to help people, so that's what I do.”