MCHHS congratulates Rowlison on 44 years of dedicated service

Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems (MCHHS) would like to congratulate Rita Rowlison, Dietary Cook, on her retirement after an incredible 44 years of dedicated service. To honor her remarkable career, the Dietary Department hosted a public reception on Monday, June 30th.

Rita began her journey with MCHHS in the Dietary Department and remained a cornerstone of the team throughout her career. Over the decades, she worked under eight different administrators, alongside five dietitians and four dietary supervisors. Her early years were spent preparing meals entirely from scratch—including cakes, bread, and main entrees. Among her favorite dishes to make was chicken and noodles, which became a staff and resident favorite.

"I've been told I'm the best gravy maker," Rita shares with a smile—and her goulash has always been a big hit. Though the kitchen has evolved from scratch cooking to using more pre-prepared ingredients, Rita’s care and consistency remained a constant.

She recalls several memorable moments over the years, including a kitchen mishap when a 50-pound container of cornstarch slipped from her hands, coating the floor and creating cleanup attempts for days. Another moment came when she accidentally added cinnamon instead of cocoa to a batch of no-bake cookies—but people still enjoyed them.

“Times have changed,” she noted, reflecting on the days when there were three Ritas working in the kitchen at once, which often led to a bit of confusion.

Reflecting on her long and fulfilling career, Rita states, “It takes everyone to work as a team. My years here have been very good. I consider the dietary department my second family. I've learned a lot over the years with all the changes, and I wouldn't change it for the world. It's been my life.”

“When I began working at Mitchell County Hospital as a Cook, Rita was already a valued member of the Cook Team. She played a key role in training me and ensuring I became proficient in all three Cook shifts,” states Kim Jordan, Dietary Director. “Rita brought a wealth of experience to our kitchen operations at MCHHS, having worked every shift in both Cook and Dietary Aide roles. Her knowledge has been an incredible resource for new team members joining our department. Rita is always kind and willing to help others. Over the years, she has witnessed many changes and transitions, yet she consistently remained committed to making sure meals were delivered on time. Her presence and dedication will be deeply missed.”