1905 - 1987 "Where Education is Life"

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Robb (Robert K) Sundin

Class of 1965

THEN	NOW
New Orleans, LA US Email: sunrobber@me.com
Went from Academy to Andrews University. Graduated with a BSN in 1971 (married Florence Duncan in 1969). Entered the Army upon graduation and was first stationed at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah Georgia and remained there for three years. This is where my first daughter Heather, was born. Awarded Army Commendation Medal for leadership, education and development of the Intensive Care Unit in that hospital. Next was stationed at Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii, for four years. Worked Cardiac and Medical Intensive Care. Taught Critical Care courses and had the help of Linda Keller's (65) physician husband in teaching the anatomy and conduction system of the heart. Was also active in the American Heart Association, lecturing and helping plan conferences. and also honored to be selected to take care of astronauts Deke Slayton, Vance Brand and Col. Stafford after a dangerous re-entry from space, following the first Russian and American space craft link up during the Apollo Missions in space Left active duty (still maintaining military connection via the Reserves and National Guard) and moved to Attleboro Mass. There I became the Nursing Director at Fuller Memorial Hospital. Started work on Masters in Nursing Administration on a part time basis at Boston University. From Fuller, took a position at the Miriam Hospital (affiliated with Brown University), just across the border in Providence, Rhode Island as Administrative Nursing Supervisor for the hospital doing the most open heart surgery in the state. Second daughter, Maureen was born here. For family reasons, then moved to New Orleans and became Director of Critical Care at Hotel Dieu Hospital. Completed my Masters in Nursing Administration and accepted a position as Vice President for Patient Care Services, for a hospital under construction, in Slidell, La. called NorthShore Regional Medical Center (about 25 miles outside of New Orleans). Worked there through last six month's of construction and first year and a half operation. Heart Association activities continued, teaching CPR in the community and also serving as an ACLS Instructor for many years. In the National Guard Unit was assigned as Training Officer for the 159 MASH, eventually moving into the Chief Nurse position. Then began the next fifteen plus years at Charity Hospital, a Level I Trauma Center (New Orleans) as Assistant Nursing Administrator first on nights and later as Associate Administrator for Nursing Practice, Compliance and Hospital Research. During those years at Charity, the 159 MASH was called to active duty and sent to Desert Storm, where we were attached to the 3rd Armored Division in support of the ground war. Moved with the main body to first contact. Our hospital was the only one to become operational in Iraq during the ground war, servicing both our own and many prisoners of war. We remained operational in Iraq and for many weeks after the war was over, until adequate hospital facilities could be established in Kawait. Received a Bronze Star for extraordinary leadership under severe combat conditions. Became Chief Nurse for the State, after return from Desert Storm. Upon return the desert, my marriage ended in divorce. Duties resumed at Charity and continued until Hurricane Katrina. Was Senior Administrator on duty during the storm and after, while stranded for six days with 1300 patients and staff in the hospital. The building was so severely damaged, that it was never reopened and essentially all personnel were eventually furloughed. During my years in New Orleans, church activities were most rewarding, especially with musical ministry. The vocal, piano and organ skills remain intact. The Clarinet has been on the closet shelf, unused for many years. Moved to Park City, Utah where the skiing is fantastic and the vistas breath taking. Though I did commute to Los Alamos, New Mexico for eighteen months to help a troubled hospital regain their Joint Commission Accrediation, Utah became home. Then things finally started to slow down and I worked for another year and a half, first in a Same Day Surgery Center, getting them ready for and receiving CMS (Medicare) Certification. The same system was constructing a hospital in Park City, so again went through the process of having everything in place to meet Joint Commission requirements upon opening. Again, family issues called. My military retirement (some still occasionally call me Colonel) and retirement from the state of Louisiana kicked in. I was able to spend end of days life with my dad, who suffered from Parkinson's and also assist my mother getting back to independence after fracturing a hip. Since then, my biggest pleasure has been having the freedom to travel frequently to see and spoil a total of five grandchildren, James, Daniel, Hannah, Noah and Micah. The doormat is always, with friends and family frequently coming to visit. Live is good and have connected with many from Adelphian on FB. Over the years have had the opportunity to travel to many wonderful places around the world. Still so many places to go! Just got a note from an old classmate asking for contact info. Since Jack Torkleson asked for current information, decided another update is in order. After eleven years in Utah, New Orleans called us back home. Contact info via Facebook remains current.
Last Update: Monday, January 19, 2015