Betty Martin Marks 50 Years with Barnesville Hospital
In February, Betty Martin, RN, marked five decades of service to WVU Medicine Barnesville Hospital.
After graduating from Barnesville High School, she began her career with Ohio Bell Telephone in Columbus. Next up was a job as a bank teller before she decided to pursue a career in healthcare.
Martin attended licensed practical nursing school at Belmont Technical College, later continuing her education at West Virginia Northern Community College in Wheeling. She obtained an associate degree in nursing at WVNCC while working full time and raising two daughters. She was hired at Barnesville Hospital as a LPN in 1976. Later, she obtained her Registered Nursing degree.
“Over time, I’ve grown from being a quiet LPN into a more seasoned and confident RN,” she said.
Martin has served in several departments, including the critical care unit and most recently in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation.
Martin never imagined she’d still be working at the hospital for five full decades.
“Within my first five years, people would often say that the hospital might close. But we’re still here today, continuing to care for patients,” she said. “Our community still needs this hospital, and it’s rewarding to be part of that.”
When Martin started at Barnesville Hospital, it was a 105-bed full service facility. Today, it’s a 25-bed critical access facility. Martin notes one of the biggest shifts in her career at the hospital was switching to computer charting, though she still has a soft spot for pen and paper.
“What stands out most to me are the memories of the hospital staff and the patients,” she said. “In a small community like ours, you really see the compassion that people show toward one another.”
Martin said she values the consistency and stability found at Barnesville Hospital which led her to remain working at the facility for 50 years.
WVU Medicine Barnesville Hopsital celebrates 50 years of service from Betty Martin, RN. Photo Provided by Lindsay Dowdle, Marketing and Communications Strategist at WVU Medicine Barnesville Hospital.
She added that working in cardiac rehab has been especially rewarding because she sees patients grow stronger, gain confidence and recover, after seeing them at their worst.
Martin said she is happy to continue working and enjoys her current role, so there are no plans for retirement at present.
“Reaching 50 years here means a great deal to me,” she said. “I feel truly blessed to still be able to work and care for people in our community.”
Martin now joins an exclusive group consisting of nine other individuals who devoted a half-century to Barnesville Hospital. Read more about their service in Barnesville Area News in the coming days.
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