Celebrating 100 Years of Care
Allen Hospital is named in honor of Mary Allen, the wife of Henry B. Allen, who donated 80 acres of land from his farm north of Waterloo along with $200,000 (approximately $7.8 million today) to establish a hospital. Allen Hospital and Allen College remain on that land today, and the legacy of the Allen family lives on through excellence in health care and giving back to our community.
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The Dack Hall Mural
In 1957, the east wall of Dack Hall at the Allen School of Nursing in Waterloo was a blank canvas. Mr. and Mrs. John W. Dack, inspired by a vision to celebrate the noble work of nurses, commissioned a grand mural to adorn the building.
Facing Logan Avenue (U.S. Hwy. 63), the vibrant artwork became a beacon for visitors, a symbol of care and a cherished landmark for the community.
Designed by artist Gerald N. Shirley, the mural was no small feat. Completed in 1958, it was crafted from over 1,400 hand-fired, six-inch ceramic tiles, each meticulously placed to bring the story of nursing to life. For decades, it stood as a proud, colorful greeting to those arriving at the hospital and the school of nursing.
The mural wove together symbols that honor the heart and soul of nursing. At its center, a glowing Florence Nightingale lamp, which paid tribute to the founder of modern nursing and her enduring legacy of compassion.
A tree of knowledge stretched upward, representing the wisdom and learning that guide nurses in their work. A dove soared nearby, embodying the free spirit of nursing – a strength that keeps nurses resilient in both body and mind.
The artwork also celebrates the partnership between the school of nursing and Allen Hospital. A radiant sun shined over a family, symbolizing the hospital’s commitment to nurturing the health of the communities it serves.
Each element of the mural tells a story of care, connection, and dedication. For nearly 40 years, the mural was a beloved part of the school of nursing’s identity. As the school of nursing expanded, and later became Allen College, the campus moved to its current location about a block away from the hospital in the mid-1990s, but the mural remains a timeless memory.
Want to experience more time-honored history and memorabilia from the past century? Make plans to visit Fall For Allen, our 100th Anniversary celebration scheduled for Oct. 3-5 on the Allen College campus.
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The photo captures a moment in time, but the effects can still be felt some 60 years later at Allen Hospital.
Chief medical officer Dr. Russell Adams gets a little choked up every time he passes through the hallway where the photo is hung. His mother, Barb Adams, is the young nurse pictured and continues to be an inspiration for his medical career.
“When I see it, I get a little wet in the eyes remembering her and how she was,” said Dr. Adams. “I became interested in medicine because of my mother and my aunt.”
Dr. Adams has spent his entire 43 years as a physician affiliated with Allen Hospital – beginning in an internal medicine practice in 1982.
As Allen Hospital celebrates it’s 100th anniversary, Adams’ family has been present for 65 of those years helping shape the way healthcare is delivered in the Cedar Valley. Barb lived within walking distance of the hospital in East Waterloo, worked in pediatrics and was the head nurse on that unit. She was a later a school nurse and a dedicated Allen Hospital volunteer before passing away in 2022.
Her sister and Dr. Adams’ aunt, Jaclyne Ellis, was a head nurse in the surgery department and a nurse supervisor.
Times have changed and technology has evolved. Health care has become simpler in some ways and more complex in others. Nevertheless, the lessons Dr. Adams took from his mother continue to provide a foundation of accountability and respect he carries with him every day.
“I heard sometimes about the stresses they had in interactions with physicians,” he said. “When I decided to become a physician, I said I never wanted to be the type anyone would express those concerns about. That molded me into the type of person I’ve tried to be my entire career.
“Just because I’m a physician doesn’t mean I’m superior to someone else. I’m part of the team providing care. I’ve had the joy of being a physician and part of that is never feeling like you know everything. You can learn from everyone.
“The other part I learned is you have to respect people. When people come to see you as a care provider – whether you’re a nurse or a doctor – often times they are afraid. They may not say it, but they’re afraid you’re going to tell them something they don’t want to hear. You have to acknowledge that and make sure you’re respectful and show you care about them as a person.”
The photo of the nurse, baby and doctor is a nostalgic visual of the joy of health care. It is secured on the hospital wall, was featured on the cover of a commemorative 100th anniversary calendar and continues to leave an impression on the chief medical officer every time it’s in view.
"I was always proud to tell people I work at Allen Hospital,” said Linda Benson, who retired in 2016 after a 41-year nursing career. “I taught advanced cardiac life support, and when I would do education, I would tell people I worked at Allen Hospital and you could see they gave you a little more attention
Sally Kelly was enrollment in nursing school came not by choice, but by a forged signature by her mother. At the time, it wasn’t quite the dream that she had in mind of becoming a professional water skier. Kelly stayed the course and received her nursing cap in the summer after her freshman year at the Allen School of Nursing. She continued to wear her cap for many years after it was phased out of being part of the standard uniform. For a nursing career that spanned more than 50 years, it served as a reminder of how blessed she was to be where she’s at.
“I wear my cap to honor my mom,” she said. “In every patient room there’s always a mirror. And when I see myself in that mirror, I think of my mom and the opportunity she gave me.”
Many Allen Hospital team members may recall an image of a yellow daffodil accompanying the hospital logo in publications throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
This flower is one of the first to bloom in the spring and soon became associated with the theme “Allen Hospitality.” The Allen Hospitality Award was recognition given to one team member each month who provided exemplary care or made other remarkable contributions to a patient or family’s experience at Allen Hospital.
We don’t see much of the daffodil today, but it remains a memorable part of Allen Hospital’s history.
Celebrate With Us
Celebrate Our Past, Present and Future
Featuring Our Past: Check the UnityPoint Health - Waterloo Facebook page throughout the year as we share stories and photos from the past century.
Follow us on FacebookShare Your Story
Have you been a part of Allen Hospital’s history? We have cared for countless patients over the past 100 years but know that each encounter creates a unique impact on family’s lives. We want to hear about your memories and experiences that make up our past. We may feature your story in an upcoming publication!
Share Your StoryMedia Inquiries
Media partners are invited to help us tell the story of philanthropy, purpose and evolving medical expertise. Contact allenhospital@unitypoint.org or a local media relations representative for interviews with our healthcare team or story ideas. We look forward to hearing from you!
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“My heart still clings to the place and scenes of our early home, where we lived when I achieved my professional successes, where our social friendships were first formed, where unity of purpose, domestic harmony and love prevailed for 32 short years; where our children were born and reared and where the cold gray granite marks the spot under which lies all that remains (except for sweet memories) of her whom I loved.”
Thanks and Gratitude
During this historic 100th Anniversary year, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to our dedicated boards, team members and volunteers for honoring a century of care and education for generations past, present and future. Your passion, commitment, and hard work have played an essential role in making this milestone celebration both meaningful and memorable for all. Thank you for the unwavering support in shaping the legacy of Allen Hospital and Allen College.
- Dr. Russell Adams
- Rita Borrett
- Jan Erpelding
- Zach French
- Jenni Friedly
- Emily Hammond
- Mike Lind
- Lisa Rider
- Kristin Schaefer
- Jared Seliger
- Carson Tigges
- Crystal Williamson
- Tammy Bedard
- Shawna Buckley
- Steve Cusher
- Susan Devine
- Dina Dowden
- Jan Erpelding
- Jean Firman
- Kim French
- Emily Hammond
- JoAn Headington
- Annie Heetland
- Sean Hylton
- Sara Janssen
- Jen Kipp
- Julie Kroeger
- Shanna Pikora
- Brent Piper
- Marcea Seible
- Candis Smith
- Sally Sherwood
- Betsy Smith
- Lisa Solberg
- Carson Tigges
- Dee Van Besien
- Laura Woebbeking
Special thank you to the Waterloo Career Center faculty and student volunteers, Northeast Iowa Food Bank and the Grout Museum for their remarkable partnership in producing Fall for Allen.