WESTON, W.Va. – In the Fall of 2020, Mon Health began the Mon Scholars program to provide scholarship benefits and the promise of employment with Mon Health System to nursing students in select nursing programs in West Virginia. One of the first Mon Scholars to graduate in the program is Jane Lew resident Chelsey Goddard, who recently graduated from Fairmont State University with an associate degree in nursing. She is employed by Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital, in Weston.
“I am so grateful for Mon Health providing this amazing opportunity to help me through nursing school and help further my education,” Goddard said. “It is so great to work for a facility who not only take priority for their patients but also willing to help their employees further their education to improve patient care and teaching.”
Goddard has been at Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital for seven years and was honored as the Employee of the Year in 2020.
“What makes this person special is the way that other people see them and the way in which they see the world. Their positive outlook is absolutely contagious and breathes life into their coworkers. I have seen it,” said Kevin Stalnaker, Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital CAO. “Bad days just do not seem quite as bad when this person is working their shift. After graduating from the LPN program and then joining our team, she probably did not realize the impact she would someday have on the lives of others. She probably did not realize the impact she would have on her fiancé or her coworkers, or her even her patients, but her impact has been nothing short of amazing.”
Her interest in healthcare started early in her life while her grandfather was hospitalized several times due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
“The clinical staff didn’t always treat my grandfather the way I wanted him to be treated, so I tried to help him as much as I could,” she explained. “He told me that I would be a good nurse, which inspired me to pursue a career in healthcare.”
Chelsey is originally from Rainelle, WV and currently lives in Jane Lew with her fiancé, Kent, and their two Australian Shepherds, Koda and Copper. Chelsey said that she grew up in the country, so she has an interest in hunting, fishing and gardening. She also enjoys working out at the gym.
“I like my work at Stonewall because I enjoy the patients and staff,” Chelsey said. “It has been a wonderful learning experience and I have had the opportunity to work in a variety of departments here which has truly expanded my knowledge and skills. I am willing to do anything to learn in order to provide the best possible care for our patients.”
To learn more about Mon Health, visit MonHealth.com.
