Our People
The people of Providence – whether they are employees, doctors, nurses or volunteers – are committed to their patients and the communities they serve. They exhibit Providence's commitment to the Mission and core values every day, in ways both large and small. Their commitment extends beyond the walls of Providence's hospitals, clinics and other buildings. Many of them work quietly throughout the community, volunteering and caring for those in need. Here are just a few of the many special people of Providence.
Gbayou Garmondeh, Sr., Patient transporter
Providence St. Vincent
Often those with the least to give are the most
generous. That's the case with Gbayou Garmondeh,
a refugee from Liberia who sought political asylum
in the United States after speaking out against
the government during the civil war and being
tortured. In Liberia he had a good job with an
American-owned bank. In Oregon he is the primary
breadwinner for his family here – as well as his
mother and other relatives back in Africa. He also
gives to his "new family" at Providence through the
Employee Giving Campaign as a contributor to
the Helping Hand fund. Gbayou (pronounced
"Bye-you") has a warm and generous spirit that
makes his co-workers and patients smile.
Pam Hearn, Medical transcriptionist
Regional Services
Not everyone can compete in the Hood to
Coast or the Portland to Coast relay race – the
largest running and walking event of its kind
in the world. Pam Hearn did it, despite being
blind since age 7 due to retinitis pigmentosa.
But that really shouldn't surprise anyone who
knows the single mother of three who raised her
children without any help, and who went back
to college in her 30s to successfully land a job at
Providence. She says she was "just ecstatic" the
day she was hired 10 years ago.
Karen Masulis, R.N.
Center for Medically Fragile
Children, Providence Child Center
On Tuesdays, Karen Masulis, R.N., is the
immunization coordinator at CMFC,
making sure all children are up to date on
their shots. Last year, she arranged for 70
children to have a total of 273 vaccinations,
often done with the help of nursing students
she mentors from the University of Portland.
She also works two days a week as a staff
nurse at the center. Because of her work,
Karen has received the Provider Award
from the Oregon Partnership to Immunize
Children. "This award demonstrates the
commitment of Providence Child Center
to the health of our profoundly disabled
and medically complex children," says Jean
Wilkinson, R.N., M.S.N., clinical nursing
manager at Providence Child Center. Karen
also just began a two-year family nurse
practitioner program at Washington State
University in Vancouver.
Stan Keltz, Volunteer
Providence Milwaukie Hospital
Providence receives incalculable benefits
from the hundreds of volunteers who
are drawn to work for our health care
ministry. They devote thousands of hours
doing jobs that improve the patient
and family experience. Stan Keltz, a
Providence Milwaukie volunteer, is one of
those whose contributions go well beyond
any job description. He retired electrical
engineer also has volunteered to help
Milwaukie seniors with their income tax
returns, make any type of home repair
for neighbors in need, and minister to
residents in assisted living centers. His
trademark bow tie is well known to patients
in the ED, and he always wears pins of the
American flag, Marine Corps insignia and
Providence cross. He splits his volunteer
time at Providence between emergency
and pastoral care, and always makes sure
that every patient and family member is
comfortable and listened to.
"MIKE Program connects vulnerable young people with caring adult role models to mentor youngsters as they promote healthy kidneys in a response to conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. We are so grateful to Providence Health & Services for donated office space to provide an organizational home to conduct volunteer trainings and support, steady corporate sponsorship to help us integrate others into the community of caring, and financial support increasing our capacity to launch greater community service. Thank you Providence Health & Services for your dedication, leadership, and care. MIKE Program is grateful to be a community partner in providing a comprehensive approach to health for all."
Cheryl Neal, MDPresident and Founder
Multicultural Integrated Kidney Education Program (MIKE)
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