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When Janice Rountree was a young child, she took loving care of her animals and her dolls.

So, there was never any doubt in her mind what she wanted to be when she “grew up.”

On Tuesday, Rountree retired after a 47-year nursing career at Troy Regional Medical Center.

Amy Minor, TRMC Chief Nursing Officer, expressed appreciation to Rountree for her dedicated service to TRMC.

“We are here celebrating the 47 years you have given to health care here at Troy Regional Medical Center,” Minor said. “You have given this community a gift through the many lives that you have touched. We love you dearly. We’ll miss you and hope you will come back and visit us often.”

Shouts of “I’m gonna miss you!” resounded throughout the gathering of staff members and employees and more than a few tears were wiped away.

“Janice has been more than a nurse at TRMC. She has been a pillar of the hospital,” said Jimmy Lunsford, Pike Medical Foundation Board. “She has been here for 47 years of the 50 years the hospital has been in operation. That is remarkable. She is remarkable.”

Rick Smith, Troy Regional Medical Center CEO, laughingly, said although he has been on board only 17 days, he understands the influence and impact Rountree has had on the hospital community.

“We are grateful for the many gifts that you have shared with us, for all that you have given to TRMC; for all that you have meant to TRMC,” Smith said. We will miss you.”

On a lighter note, Smith invited Rountree to come back anytime as a PRN (as needed).

Friends and co-workers thanked Rountree for her friendship and support over the years and wished her all the best in her retirement. However, to a one, they expressed hope that she would continue to be a part of the TRMC family in the coming years.

Dell Stokes, RN has been with TRMC for 40 years. She said she will greatly miss Roundtree, who has been a friend as well as a co-worker for so many years. Rountree’s influence has been one of love and caring, for her patients and all those with whom she works, she said.

Rountree thanked all of those who have been co-workers and friends over the years.

“We have shared our good times and our problems,” she said. “You were here for me when there was tragedy in my life. No matter what, we have been here for each other. I thank you for being there for me.”

Rountree is a Troy University graduate and retired as an ICU Registered Nurse at Troy Regional Medical Center.

Rountree said she was fortunate to have worked with legendary RN Rosa Lee Boswell and to have learned from her.

Although patients in ICU require continuing intensive care, Rountree said she was blessed to be able to assist the patients in getting better.

“Not all ICU patients get better but we are there for them and help them whatever they are going through,” she said. “I always wanted to be a nurse. I’m thankful I was able to do what I wanted to do for 47 years.”

Rountree’s retirement plans are to spend more time with her four grandchildren and to do things that she finds fulfilling and enjoyable.