Employees with 390 Years of Combined Service Honored at Annual Ether Day Celebration

Date

October 19, 2026

Topics

Campus Culture

The 36 employees recognized during the annual Ether Day celebration last Wednesday The represent a combined 390 years of service. Whether they have been at the school for five or 25 years, they have seen a lot happen.

“Honorees have lived through real change — and lived it,” President Deborah Jones told the crowd that gathered in 1CW and virtually for the ceremony that honors the first public surgery using ether as an anesthetic, which took place at Massachusetts General Hospital on October 16, 1846. The anniversary has become an opportunity to recognize the people whose service carries forward a legacy of innovation, learning, and care.

One employee who has seen the most change is Associate Dean and Registrar Jim Vitagliano, who was one of four people recognized for their 25-years at the school. He started working when what was then called the MGH Institute was located on several floors of a building at 101 Merrimack Street before moving to the Shouse building.

“When we moved over to Shouse, it really started to feel like a campus environment,” said Vitagliano. “That was the spark that ignited everything. Year after year, you saw the growth happening.”

That growth required changes in how people worked since being on different floors in the original location had led to offices being siloed.

“There wasn’t a great amount of communication between all of the programs in the administration, so the President Ann Caldwell started having daily meetings with my team and with the dean. That’s how we built the framework for basically what we have now.”

That framework saw the University grow from 544 students in 2001 to more than 2000 students today. Employees helped make that growth possible and contribute every day to the University.

“Your impact can be seen throughout the University, in the education and support we provide our students, in the growth of our academic programs, in the discoveries of our researchers, in our service to the Greater Boston community, and in so many other ways,” said President Jones during her remarks at the ceremony. “The work you have done, the relationships you have built, and the knowledge and experience you bring every day are part of what makes the University strong.”

See the honorees in the photo carousel below.

Employees pose with a sign that has the number 5 — Honorees who have worked at the University for five years include: Pictured - back row (l-r) Gretchen Carney, Ellen Foley, Mary O'Donnell, Collen Muse, Megan Wilcox, Fatima Jeudy, Kim Mace. Front row (l-r) Jaliyah Raymond, Zhaopeng Ji. Not pictured - Aimee Bollentin, Laura Cline, Kathleen Lyons, Tara Mansour, Tasneem Pota.

A group stands in front of a Mass General Brigham background holding a sign with the number 10 — Employees with 10 years of service include: Pictured (l-r) Maureen Flynn, Rachel Pittmann, Kathleen Socha, Jennifer Fuller, Katherine Metzger, Anna Cottrell, Esther Herring. Not pictured - Sara Aucoin, Lauren Baron. Greg Moor, Sheila Regan, Megan Schliep.

Four people stand with a sign with the number 15 on it — Employees with 15 years of service include: Pictured (l-r) Mike Zarella, Natalie Lewis, Christopher Clock, Sarah McKinnong. Not pictured - Jen Burke, Beatriz Delgado.

Heather Easter holds a sign with the number 20 — Heather Easter represents the 20-year employees which includes Karen Flaherty (not pictured).

Suellen Breakey and Jim Vitagliano hold a sign with 25 on it — Suellen Breakey and Jim Vitagliano were honored for their 25 years with the University. Joel Krier and Denis Stratford (not pictured) are also 25-year employees.

President Jones speaks at Ether Day — President Jones celebrated employees by recognizing, "the work you have done, the relationships you have built, and the knowledge and experience you bring every day."

Sarah Welch speaks at the 2026 Ether Day Ceremony — Director of Human Relations Sarah Welch shared highlights from each honorees' starting year such as the top song, album, and movie, price of gas, big events, and student enrollment at the time.

A man stands next to a table with food with people in the background — Those in attendance enjoyed refreshments after the Ether Day ceremony.