Kayleen Bye retires after 44 years at GCHD

POMEROY–It is our pleasure and honor to feature Kayleen Bye, R.N., a dedicated longstanding employee of Garfield County Hospital District (GCHD) for 44 years.

Kayleen was born in the Garfield County Memorial Hospital to Wilbur and Barbara Gingerich and was raised on a farm with five siblings, all of whom were born at our hospital. She always knew she wanted a career in healthcare, even from a young age. "I decided I wanted to be a nurse in 6th grade after reading the Cherry Ames Book Series," whose main character portrayed the life of a nurse. Two of her siblings also chose careers in the medical field, a sister who also became a nurse and her brother, Brad, who was the local pharmacist for many years. Throughout her high school education, she pursued her dream by taking math and science classes that would prepare her for the nursing curriculum.

She graduated from Pomeroy High School in 1972, then attended Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing and was pinned as a registered nurse in 1975. After receiving her diploma, she was hired at Sacred Heart Hospital. In this position, she learned the foundation of nursing as she performed rotations in several different departments including the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Coronary Care Unit, Emergency Department and IV therapy. After attaining knowledge from the various medical specialties, she discovered she was particularly interested in ICU, where she gained new skills over the next two years of her employment in Spokane.

In the early spring of 1978, she married Gary Bye, also a native of Pomeroy, and moved back to Garfield County to farm the Bye family homestead. In March of 1980 Ruby Porter, who was the Director of Nursing at that time, called Kayleen one day and asked her if she would be interested in coming to work for the Hospital District. She agreed and began covering evening shifts at the hospital and Emergency Room (ER). Her previous work experience had well prepared her for the various duties in the hospital setting as well as handling the demands of the ER. She enjoyed caring for patients in this capacity and the level of care it offered.

As the nursing home began to increase in the mid-80s, her job duties increased as well. Kayleen's valuable skills were soon recognized, and her responsibilities expanded to working in geriatrics. She was cross trained on the long-term care side, helping to care for the residents as well as the hospital patients. Due to raising a young family and wanting to spend quality time at home, she made the decision to transition as a clinic nurse to the Pomeroy Medical Clinic where she has remained ever since.

Kayleen's warm and friendly smile has been a welcoming sight for many years, and her calming presence has assisted many providers over four decades. "I never deviated from wanting to be a nurse and have never regretted my choice. There are so many career options related to nursing and I have enjoyed all areas. Nursing is important. Being able to care for the people in our community and provide healthcare to families is vital."

Kayleen's dedication to GCHD and her love for this community are evident in her 44 years of employment. "I loved working here. They have been very good to me." She will be retiring on August 1, 2024, and has thoroughly enjoyed her years working for the hospital district. Kayleen is an icon at the clinic. "Her sweet spirit, kindness, and willingness to help the providers, staff and patients in any situation has always been one her best qualities. Her smile can light up a room! She is like family, and we are sad to see her go."

Kayleen had the same sentiment, stating "I will miss seeing the patients and working with the staff at the clinic and hospital." She will remain active in the community and states, "God, family and farm remain my three top priorities."

Kayleen plans to continue serving the Lord by staying very active in the United Methodist Church in Pomeroy and filling her time helping with her soon-to-be twin grandsons and six other grandchildren. She looks forward to spending more time with her family and friends.

The staff and patients at GCHD wish Kayleen the very best in this new chapter of her life. She will be greatly missed by all!