Mary Koss has retired after 50 years in nursing, 25 spent at Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital.

“Mary has been an inspiring and dedicated member of the Borgess-Lee family,” said Joy Strand, administrator and chief operating officer, Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital. “While our staff and patients will miss her compassion and attention to detail, we wish her much success and happiness in her retirement.”

In addition to Dowagiac, Koss served as a staff and charge nurse in Columbus, Ohio;

Charleston, S.C.; Norwich, Conn.; and Benton Harbor.

She has provided nursing care in a variety of departments, including labor and delivery, emergency medicine and surgery.

“I’ve seen so many changes,” Koss said, “from bulk medications to individually wrapped meds, from having to make infant formula to using ready-to-feed bottles, from open surgery to laser surgery. Things have changed for the better. I wish to thank the doctors and my fellow colleagues for all of their support, friendship and advice they’ve given me throughout the years,” she added. “I’m not saying goodbye. I’m saying, ‘until I see you again.’”