Newborn nursery honors Tello family

Renovated space named for nurse and family's contributions to Sanford Bismarck

Newborn nursery honors Tello family

For 25 years, nurse Bertha Reynan Tello lovingly cared for newborns in the nursery of the former Bismarck Hospital. Today, her legacy lives on within the newly renovated nursery at the Sanford Medical Center – Bismarck, North Dakota.

This summer, the space was officially unveiled as the Bertha Reynan Tello Nursery. The new signage and a plaque commemorating Bertha’s life and love for children, were greeted with applause from Bertha’s children and grandchildren.

“We, as a family, are proud to join the Sanford Family in naming the newborn nursery in honor of our mother, Bertha Reynen Tello,” said Anthony Tello, M.D., critical care specialist at Sanford Bismarck. “Mom devoted a large part of her life to caring for the newborn babies in the nursery and would be delighted with this honor.”

The naming also recognizes the Tello family’s generous support of Sanford Bismarck’s Child Life program. In 2019, Dr. Ron Tello and his wife, Joyce, created an endowment in memory of Bertha, who passed away in 2008. The fund, which provides permanent support for child life, is also generously supported by the extended Tello family, including Dr. Anthony and Jan Tello, Dr. Robert and Rebecca Tello, Dr. Tim and Julie Tello, Judy and Paul Grinager, Rick and Vicki Tello, Kathy and Todd Brewer, John Tello, Carmen Rodriguez, and Dr. Christina Tello-Skjerseth and Brent Skjerseth.

“Naming the nursery after Bertha is our way of saying thank you to the Tello family for their legacy of service to families across North Dakota over three generations and for their significant contributions that benefit Sanford’s child life program,” said Sara Haugen, executive director of the Sanford Health Foundation, Bismarck region. “Their philanthropic spirit and commitment to health care is beyond measure.”

The Bertha Reynen Tello Nursery is located on the fifth floor of the Sanford Medical Center – Bismarck.

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