As the RN residency coordinator for CHI Saint Joseph Health, Beth Gamble, PhD, MSN, RN, feels she has the best of both worlds: nursing and mentoring.
“I will always be a nurse at heart,” Gamble said. “I get to really bring that passion forward, as well as working with my other passion, which is helping students and new graduates be successful.”
Gamble also extends her service beyond the hospital doors with her volunteer and church service to the community.
“Jesus calls us to love our neighbor, whether that neighbor is in a hospital bed, across the street or in a drug diversion program,” she said.
In Gamble’s day job, she provides support to new nurses during their first year in the profession.
“Studies show that new nursing school graduates who do not receive good support in that first year are less likely to remain in the nursing profession,” Gamble said. “We provide support, encouragement and additional education for them.”
She also encourages nurses to share their blessings with others. They develop a theme for the year using Bible verses, and assemble blessing bags filled with candy to share with others.
“Residents are encouraged to give them to other staff members, who are a blessing to our organization,” Gamble said.
When she’s not at CHI Saint Joseph Health, Gamble volunteers with several community organizations, including A Running Start, a nonprofit that works with men recovering from addiction who are staying at The Hope Center. The group encourages the men to train for a 5K run to develop a new, healthier habit, and she and other volunteers run with the men three nights a week for 12 weeks.
“It really builds a community. It builds relationships,” Gamble said. “At the end of those 12 weeks, it culminates in all of us going out together and running a local 5K or a four-mile race. We have some men who have now been sober for years but continue to come back and run to support others.”
Gamble is also deeply involved with local impact work at Centenary United Methodist Church, and she serves on the board of Step-by-Step, a nonprofit that works with young, single mothers.
When she’s not working or volunteering, Gamble and her husband enjoy spending time with their two schnoodle (schnauzer and poodle mix) dogs.
A version of this article originally appeared in the Fall 2022 print edition of Spirit of Health.
Brooke Dadisman does not try to avoid the heartbreak that sometimes occurs in Flaget Memorial Hospital’s birth center. In fact, she said she is dedicated to “walking that path” with bereaved parents.
Read More Additional information about A Comforting Presence for Parents
Nurse practitioner Heather Smith has learned a lot about her patients and their barriers to health care by simply taking the time to talk.
Read More Additional information about Celebrating Our People – Meet Heather
From bubble wands and Hot Wheels to Barbie dolls and more, ER technician Irina Dulina is bringing comfort to our littlest patients through the Toy Chest project at Saint Joseph Jessamine.
Read More Additional information about Bringing Comfort to Our Littlest Patients
Fill out the form below to receive monthly health news and information to your inbox.
Spirit of Health magazine's print edition is distributed quarterly and focuses on topics related to our CHI Saint Joseph Health purpose and values.
