The Leader & State Register

SEAFORD — Tribute was paid last Thursday to health care "giants" for their leadership, commitment, dedication and service to Nanticoke Memorial Hospital and the Nanticoke Health Services community.

About 200 people packed Heritage Shores ballroom for the fourth annual Nanticoke Tributes for Healthcare Leadership dinner, saluting this year’s honorees — Physician Hall of Fame inductees Dr. Martin J. Cosgrove and Dr. Mario M. Rosales, Founders Award recipients Louise M. Riddle Hanson and William "Skip" Hastings and Frank "Snubby" Anderson, recipient of the Charles C. Allen Jr. Leadership in Philanthropy Award.

"We are here to recognize special people who paved the way for the institution that we presently have," said NHS board of directors chairman Robert S. Boyd. "On behalf of the board of directors (I offer) congratulations to all of the giants that are honored here tonight."

In setting the stage during brief welcoming remarks, Tom Brown, NHS’s new senior vice president, said the occasion was to honor five individuals for their "wonderful contribution to Nanticoke Memorial Hospital."

Major sponsors for the event were Professional Leasing, Inc. (Cocktail Sponsor) and BNY Mellon (Program Sponsor).

In a distinguished career in which he served as chairman of the Diagnostic Radiology Department and spearheaded expansion of the radiology and diagnostic center, Dr. Cosgrove practiced medicine at Nanticoke for 32 years, retiring in 2006.

Born and raised in south Philadelphia, Dr. Cosgrove — the son of a police officer — interned and practiced medicine in California, and later received nuclear medicine training at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Md., and diagnostic radiology training at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington.

In 1974, he brought that expertise to Nanticoke. Through his efforts, the radiology department increased from two rooms to 10, expansion that encompassed special procedures such as nuclear medicine, mammography, ultrasound and CT scanning.

Dr. Cosgrove today enjoys his other great accomplishments: his three children, grandkids and his soul mate and wife, Dr. Joyce Stout.

In 28 years as a general surgeon, Dr. Rosales helped thousands of people in the Seaford area.

"He touched many, many lives not only by his surgical expertise, but more importantly by his persona," says his wife, Flor Rosales.

A 1964 graduate of a medical institution in the Philippines, Dr. Rosales passed on an employment opportunity in Lewes and accepted a better offer to come to Nanticoke.

He developed a busy solo practice, served as chairman of various medical committees and was also president of the medical staff that ended with retirement in 2000 to spend more time with family and his passion — fishing.

These days, he’s the president of Our Lady of Lourdes Church parish council, dabbles in culinary arts and metalworking and enjoys working with his backhoe and grader at the family’s poultry farms, often working side by side with farm tenants.

Mr. Anderson, co-founder of the successful leasing company, Professional Leasing, is the recipient of the award presented annually to someone who has given significantly to the hospital of his or her own resources.

His generous contributions and gifts to the hospital have touched countless lives, benefiting many causes, friends and family.

The son of a physician, Mr. Anderson grew up in Federalsburg, Md. He worked for Maryland Plastics for many years. Twenty-six years ago, Mr. Anderson and some close friends started a leasing company, Professional Leasing.

Over the years, Mr. Anderson has served on the hospital board of directors and development committee.

A skilled craftsman, he made and donated furniture to the hospital. According to his wife Janie, he severed part of a finger while making a blanket chest for the hospital, further showing that "Snubby" gave until it hurt.

For more than 50 years, Mrs. Riddle Hanson worked 27 years as a nurse at Nanticoke, mostly in maternity, served as the hospital’s director of nursing and founded the Pastoral Care Program. After retiring, she served an additional 23 years as a volunteer.

While her initial passion was teaching, family financial situation dashed that dream and she opted for a career in nursing and went to nursing school.

After marrying William J. Riddle in 1941, she worked at hospitals during World War II. After the war, they moved to Seaford and she began working at Nanticoke in 1953, pausing once after the birth of their third child.

She retired in 1984 but remained very busy, volunteering with the hospital, the senior center, her church, Soroptimist International and Seaford Elementary School.

Nine years after her husband passed, she married Ralph Hanson of Seaford.

Her three children have been involved in Nanticoke Hospital and her legacy continues with a third generation, as one of her granddaughters works at Nanticoke as a nurse.

One of Nanticoke Memorial Hospital founders and the first president of the hospital’s board, Mr. Hastings — who passed away in 1960 at age 50 of cancer — was actively involved in his community.

He ran his family’s construction business, and served as board member of Seaford Trust Co., president of the Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church, charter member of the Seaford Lions Club and a lifetime member of the Seaford Volunteer Fire Department.

Mr. Hastings helped form the town’s original "First Aid Squad," serving as captain. He helped in fundraising to purchase Seaford’s first ambulance, which led to helping found Nanticoke Memorial Hospital.

While on the hospital board, he never missed a meeting in 10 years.