Employee Spotlight - Mary Carter Gilbert, Process Management
March 18, 2024
Mary Carter Gilbert, Office of Patient Safety
Helping others laugh are find joy is one of the most rewarding things for Mary Carter Gilbert. We recently spoke with her about her career and what Women's History Month means to her.
What is your job title here at EAH? How long have you been with EAH?
Clinical Outcomes Coordinator in the Office of Patient Safety. I have been with EAH since July 2019.
What inspired you to pursue your current job/career?
My dad is a pharmacist, so when I was growing up, I loved to visit him at the pharmacy and interact with all the customers (and have my pick of all the candy on the shelves). I loved watching him work, and I admired the way he would take the time to talk with all of his customers and answer any and all questions they had, catch up with how they were feeling, or to ask how their day was going. Even though I did not know how to word it back then, I know now that he truly cared for not only the physical health but also the mental and emotional health of his customers. I always knew that he never viewed his job as simply filling prescriptions; he viewed it as his way to take care of his community. He loved our little town, and it loved him back. Through this, I knew I always wanted to pursue a career in healthcare in some way. I chose nursing because I also wanted to make an impact on people through caring for all aspects of their health – physical, mental, emotional, social – and nursing was the best way for me to be able to do just that!
What accomplishments are you most proud of?
It may sound silly, but I think being able to make others laugh, smile, or feel good about themselves is a huge deal/accomplishment. If I’m able to add some positivity or support to someone’s day, I feel like I’ve accomplished so much. We’re all here to find the joy in life, and I’m most proud when I can accomplish adding that to the day.
Who is the person in women’s history that has influenced you and who you are today?
This person is absolutely hands-down my mom. She is the strongest person I have ever known. Her drive and perseverance is unmatched. No matter what curve ball life tries to throw her, she hits an out of the park home run! And goodness, her enthusiasm for everything in life is amazing! She’s been an educator for 40+ years now, and she loves every single student that has ever walked through her door. Her classroom has always been full of fun and memorable ways to learn (even doing cartwheels and dressing up as historical characters), and she never tires of it! She also is ALWAYS in her family’s corner. She never misses an event, a phone call, or an opportunity to make every holiday (or even just a random Tuesday) full of joy. I am beyond blessed to call her my mom, and even though I’m an adult already, I still want to be just like her when I grow up!