Jewell Spears (1933-2021) held a long and prosperous career in Nursing at Reid Hospital. During Richmond’s 1968 explosion she healed the injured. After the crisis she helped create a disaster plan for Reid Hospital (now Reid Health) and was Governor appointed to help create Indiana’s 911 emergency system.

Spears became the first African American at Reid Hospital to serve as Director of Nursing and Vice President. In 1986 she was awarded Indiana’s highest award, the Sagamore of the Wabash.