Shown, left to right, are August Ripp, Rita Ripp and Carol Scheer. During 2009, Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center is celebrating 50 years of service to the community. As the hospital prepares to celebrate it will look back and acknowledge those who helped make it possible. Thehospital opened its door on May 18, 1959, with the help of people like 92-yearold Rita Ripp of North Babylon. Ripp recalls serving as secretary to the fundraising committee at St. Joseph's parish in Babylon, when Monsignor Nolan was pastor, a volunteer position she held for more than 10 years; she has also been an active member of the Catholic Daughters for more than 56 years and has held the office of Grand Regent at St. Joseph's. Ripp and her husband, August, 92, will be celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary, on September 2, 2009. Today, Mr. Ripp, still serves as an usher at the 9:30 mass every Sunday at St Joseph's and will be celebrating his 93rd birthday in March. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ripp, have served as president for St. Vincent DePaul, and remain very active members of the Catholic community. Today the Ripp family still considers Good Samaritan part of their extended family.

The Ripp's moved to North Babylon in 1952 from Ridgewood Queens. Today, they live in the same home where they raised their six children. All of their children attended St Joseph's School in Babylon. Carol Scheer, their only daughter, of Ronkonkoma, remembers being a "pinky" in 1960 at Good Samaritan, the summer before she entered nursing school. A "pinky" was the predecessor to the candy striper and was a position of honor. Scheer was one of eight young women selected by Monsignor Nolan and his associates; each selected "pinky" had to be accepted to a nursing school, before serving. Scheer attended St John's Nursing School in Long Island City and upon graduation in 1963, began her career as an operating room nurse at Good Samaritan. According to Carol, "Good Samaritan was an exciting place to be in the 1960's; I have fond memories of the people I worked with. Today, visiting the hospital reminds me of what a caring and compassionate hospital it is."

Mr. and Mrs. Ripp have 16 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild. According to Mrs. Ripp, "I have a wonderful family and I am truly thankful to have had such a wonderful and rewarding life and I am grateful that Good Samaritan has been a part of it".

If you have a story to share or would like information about Good Samaritan's 50th anniversary celebration, please call, (631)-376-4444.