JERSEY SHORE – Jersey Shore Hospital recently celebrated the retirement of Dr. Carmen Spinney, who graciously provided over 40 years of medical service to community.

The hospital physicians and staff held a picnic in her honor and unveiled an engraved marker designating a garden/patio area outside the hospital in her name.

Although Dr. Spinney has provided more to this community than most, she has agreed to work part time in multiple medical functions throughout the community including acting as the medical director for Urgent Care at McElhattan.

Dr. Spinney has been a medical pillar in western Lycoming County since 1973, providing primary Internal Medicine care from her home-based office, and serving Jersey Shore Hospital as president of the medical staff (1980-93, 2003-04, 2008-2010) and on the hospital board of directors (1980-93, 1998-current, president 1987-88).

In addition she has cared for patients at Williamsport hospitals and Lock Haven Hospital.

Carmen Estacion Spinney was born in the Philippines on Dec. 19, 1941. Her father was a major in the Philippine guerilla army and her mother spent much time hiding in the hills avoiding enemy capture.

As a young girl, Carmen was trained in voice and piano to become a concert-level performer, but during her college career turned toward medicine earning an associate Pre-Med degree in 1959, a B.S. degree (cum laude) in Biology cum laude from Silliman University in 1960, and an M.D. degree from the University of the Philippines in 1965.

After a year of Medical residency at Silliman University Medical Center in the Philippines, Carmen immigrated to the U.S. in 1966. She served a rotating internship at New York Infirmary in NYC, earning the outstanding intern award.

Carmen then took three-year residency in Internal Medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center in NYC (1967-70), serving as chief resident her third year. She was a fellow in Pulmonary Disease at Bellevue NYU for one year and Beth Israel for one year, followed by a year as an associate member of the Dept of Medicine at Beth Israel and a clinician at the TB Clinic of the NY Dept of Health.

Her professional associations include membership in the Pennsylvania Section of the American Association of Internal Medicine, American Thoracic Society, AMA, PMS, and LCMS. In addition to being elected the first woman President of the Lycoming County Medical Society in 1985, Carmen has served numerous terms on the county society’s board of directors and been a local delegate to the PMS House of Delegates. For PMS she served as Chair of the Committee on Rules and Credentials (2007). She was President of the Philippine Medical Association in NY, NJ, DE and PA in 1971-72.

Carmen married Ralph Spinney in 1972 and they settled in Ralph’s home region of Avis in 1973. Ralph Spinney passed away in early 2013.

Carmen’s musical talents have frequently been heard at social functions in the area , including as the sole soprano of Docapella. She also sings with the Tiadaghton Chorale of Jersey Shore, Chamber Chorus and Civic Community Chorus of Williamsport, and the Gatehouse singers. She has been the Millbrook Playhouse company physician since 1979. She is an elder of the Presbyterian Church and served as President of the Session (2007-10). She received the George Morton Humanitarian Award for 2011 given by the Kiwanis Club of Jersey Shore.

Carmen and Ralph are the parents of Russell Alfred and Carmen Michelle. Russell earned his PhD in Philosophy at Penn State and his forte is German and European History. Michelle is liaison coordinator of hospice volunteers at Susquehanna Health.

“Dr. Spinney is more than an incredible physician and teacher; she is a friend of all. We’re so proud and thankful to have been a part of her amazing career,” said Carey Plummer, CEO of Jersey Shore Hospital. “We wish her all the best in retirement.”