A longtime West Virginia University nurse has been given so much from WVU, that she feels as if it’s crucial to invest back into the University, as well as WVU Medicine, through the Gold Blue and You faculty and staff campus campaign.
Kathleen Speaker, RN has been with WVU Medicine Children’s since June of 1993, and states that throughout her time in Morgantown, her “professional life has been so rewarding.”
For Speaker, choosing to work at WVU Medicine Children’s was an easy decision, and has given her endless opportunity.
“I have thrived in our academic and magnet-certified hospital,” mentioned Speaker. “Our team-oriented and collaborative approach is paramount to caring for even the youngest and smallest patients. Our patients often have complex diagnoses. Every patient brings a unique situation requiring a medical, nursing and psychosocial approach to meet their specific needs. I chose WVU Medicine because every day brings a new challenge—a new situation. It allows me to grow personally as well as professionally.”
And aside from a rewarding career with WVU Medicine, Speaker’s husband is a professor with the WVU College of Business and Economics, and their three children have also received degrees from WVU.
Their strong relationship with the University is ultimately what prompted so much support in the first place.
“My family has given back to WVU because we have been given so much in return,” Speaker said. “We have given to our children's hospital. As a recipient of an undergraduate certificate in Women's Studies, I have given to that program. My husband is a professor in the College of Business and Economics and our three children have received various degrees from their programs.”
Being a longtime resident of Morgantown, Speaker also mentioned how much the University has grown and changed over the years. Because of private philanthropy as well as faculty and staff support, the University is more prepared than ever to offer state-of-the-art facilities as well as programs for students, and economic opportunity for the state of West Virginia.
“As a longtime resident of Morgantown, the growth of our University has been remarkable,” said Speaker. “New buildings, new programs and much-needed new infrastructure has impacted the entire community. WVU is a crucial factor in the growth and economic opportunities we have enjoyed. I give back because I want to see continued success for our University and our community. It is why we call Morgantown our home.”
To make a gift and learn more about Gold Blue and You, WVU’s campus-wide, faculty and staff campaign, visit goldblueandyou.com. To invest in WVU Medicine Children’s, please contact Janette Gidley at 304-598-4346 or jgidley@hsc.wvu.edu.
Contributions made to the Gold Blue and You Campaign are made in conjunction with A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia’s University which runs through December 2017.