News Room - Press Releases

News Release
For Immediate Release
For more information, contact:
Lynne Zultanky: (757) 889-5413
Pager (757) 473-7904
Communications and PR

Norfolk, Va. (March 20, 2006) -- As part of its 150th anniversary celebration, Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center commissioned a prequel to “There Goes a Mermaid – A NorFolktale” written by Lisa Suhay.  “Many people don’t know that DePaul was founded in response to the yellow fever epidemic,” Richard Hopkins, Director of Foundation Relations and Advancement for the Bon Secours DePaul Health Foundation states. “This book gives us an opportunity to tell the history of our hospital’s mission, as well as the history of the city we serve.”

"The Mermaids and Yellow Jack. A NorFolktale", tells the story of how the tears of a child in a city stricken with yellow fever summon a mermaid named Cara and her sisters to help fight the illness sailors of that day and age nicknamed "Yellow Jack."  This gentle fable blends history with mermaid magic while also telling of how the Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center in Norfolk, Virginia was founded.  It also explains why the city today holds a love of both mermaids and yellow flowers.

“It was an honor to work with Lisa Suhay on this project,” says Julie Paulina, Marketing Manager of Bon Secours DePaul.  “We are so excited with the finished book.  Be sure to look for the Bon Secours fleur-de-lis hidden in the illustrations!”

Bon Secours DePaul Hospital's New Mermaid - La Sirène de Mission

The Virginia Legislature incorporated the hospital of St. Vincent De Paul, Norfolk’s first public hospital and the oldest catholic hospital in Virginia, on March 3, 1856.  In 2006, Bon Secours DePaul celebrated 150 years of growing with the community.  The year-long celebration kicked off in November 2005, with the newest addition to the city’s Mermaids on Parade, “La Sirène de Mission” which means “mermaid of mission”.  Recently, Bon Secours DePaul celebrated its anniversary with a commemorative mass on March 3.  Several events will be held throughout the year, including the Bon Secours DePaul Baby Reunion, May 20th at MacArthur Center from 1-3, and the Foundation Annual Golf tournament in August.  The year-long celebration concludes with the 150th Anniversary Gala on October 14th.  For information on any of these events, please call (757) 889-5900.

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Bon Secours Hampton Roads Health System is a leading health care organization known for providing care for the whole person with grace and clinical distinction. Bon Secours brings together a network of hospitals, primary care practices, ambulatory care sites and continuing care facilities to provide quality health care services to the residents of Hampton Roads. Bon Secours, which employs more than 4,500, includes: Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center, Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center, Mary Immaculate Hospital, Bon Secours Health Center at Harbour View, Bon Secours Maryview Nursing Care Center and St. Francis Nursing Center.