Mary Meents, Registered Nurse, Certified Lamaze Childbirth Instructor and Teen Pregnancy Specialist, has been awarded the Gibson Area Hospital & Health Services (GAHHS) December Employee of the Month.
Raised in St. Anne and a current resident of Watseka, Mary began her nursing career in 1992 at Iroquois Memorial Hospital. In retrospect, she recognizes the honor she has had as a nurse to give bedside support to patients on both ends of the spectrum in life’s journey. Presently full time in the OB Department at Gibson Area Hospital, Mary finds delight in being present to witness the first breath of a new baby and watching the joy of the baby’s first eye contact with the mom and dad. She also feels privileged to work with people who look out for and nurture one another, commenting “If we don’t take care of each other, we can’t take care of others.”
Mary has observed this attitude of support throughout the GAHHS organization, from administration to ancillary staff, and it makes her “very proud to be part of Gibson Gets It!” With a sense of welcoming from the first time she walked in the door at GAHHS, she believes that joining the great team of OB staff and physicians has been a true blessing.
Mary and her husband Buz (Brian) have been married for 31 years—proof to her that” it matters not where you go in life; it’s who you have by your side.” They have two grown children, Brian and Kristin, and two “grand dogs”, Bailey and Blackberry. Mary has her own “best bud” of 12 ½ years, her Chocolate Labrador named Starbuck.
Mary’s mantra for her spare time is “it’s all about peace”—finding it in her yard and fireplace, as well as in music, dancing, and the beach. She also makes an important point of taking “Mary Days” to enjoy life and its peaceful moments.
