She Doesn't Balance, She Blends...

Last night we got to hear the amazing stories of our Most Admired Woman winners and find out who they admire themselves. Read on to learn more about our Health Care winner, Cis Gruebel, and what makes her such an admirable woman!

Today's Woman: What’s the most difficult part of your job?

Cis Gruebel: There’s a time every year for eight weeks or so when we’re very, very busy. It’s flu and respiratory illness season, and we’re holding kids in the emergency room for extended periods of time. That’s really hard. We hate having to hold the kids in the ER. We’ve opened up some additional pediatric beds at St. Matthews, but it’s still not enough. It’s really hard to see when the child suffers, but the good part is that the season is short-lived, and we work together as a team and figure out what we need to do to support the kids and families.

TW: What motivates you in your work?

CG: Servant leadership. I think I’m just wound up as a servant leader. My husband just retired, and people ask me all the time if I’m going to retire now too, but I don’t think I will for a long time as long as I’m productive and as long as I can bring value. I want to serve others and be able to do everything I can to help people. Sounds kind of cheesy, doesn’t it? But it’s the truth.

TW: How do you maintain a work–life balance? 

CG: You know, about eight years ago I decided there is no such thing. I call it a work–life blend. I was in school when my kids were young, and they were running with all their athletics and academics and that type of thing. Those were some challenges. I remember being at the soccer field and sitting on a bench reading articles while they were at practice so I could write a paper for school. You just made use of the time you had. Now I’m in a position where I can run out in the middle of the day and go to church with or have lunch with my grandkids. It’s really important to me to be able to carve out time for those kinds of things. When my kids were little, I couldn’t do that, but now that I can, I’m not going to let those opportunities pass me by.

TW: How do you recharge?

CG: I love to read. And I’m very interested in crafts. I’m not very good at it, but I’m interested in it. When my daughter was a baby, I smocked and made all of her dresses. And I love to cook and have potlucks with family.

TW: Do you have a personal motto?

CG: I think that things happen the way they’re supposed to.