Blessing Hospital celebrates its 150th anniversary during 2025. This is the third in a series of stories celebrating the anniversary through generations of care, compassion and community as told by family members working at Blessing.

Most of us look forward to the end of the work day, a time to go home and relax with our families. But there are some days when it’s the other way around – when going to work gets you out of the house and provides a needed break from the stress of family life.

Then there is the Reid family. As they walk the halls of Blessing, there is a good chance they could run into a family member. 

Members of the Reid clan are relatives of the family matriarch Audrey Reid - who spent 25 years as a Blessing Hospital 2nd floor medical-surgical LPN, retiring in 1993. Her family includes the following Blessing employees:

  • Kim Stapp - Nationally certified Histology tech, Laboratory, 45 years of service (partially retired, now working per diem)
  • Chuck Stapp- Manager, Power Plant and Grounds, 36 years of service
  • Jamie Kane- Ambulatory Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Administration, 18 years of service
  • Erica Harris- Registered Nurse, Surgical Services, 18 years of service.
  • Sarah Harris- Certified Nursing Assistant, CVU, 15 years of service.
  • Jason Harris- Maintenance Specialist, Maintenance, four years of service.

Add it all up and members of the Reid family have given 161 years (and counting) of service to Blessing and its patients.

How are all these people related? 

  • Audrey is Kim’s mother, and
  • Chuck is Kim’s husband, and
  • Kim is the mother and Audrey is the grandmother of Jamie, Sarah and Jason – making Jamie, Sarah and Jason siblings, and
  • Erica is Jason’s wife, making her a sister-in-law, daughter-in-law and granddaughter-in-law to everyone else.

“It is great!” grandmother Audrey said of her family members’ career choices. “There is such a need for good people in the health field.” 

“It’s nice to know that they all found a job that means something to them and something they enjoy,” Kim added.

It’s really very cool to know that literally our whole family is invested in this organization,” said Jamie. “It also means that sometimes family gatherings turn into work meetings, and there is the opportunity for impromptu family breakfasts in the cafeteria!”

“Get to see my family more than I want some days,” admitted Jason.

“It makes you accountable,” Chuck chimed in. 

“It shows that Blessing can truly be a family environment,” Erica observed. 

How it all began

“I ran a daycare, but my lifelong dream was to become a nurse,” said Audrey.

Kim says she was the first phlebotomist hired at Blessing.

“My sister was a med tech here and it sounded interesting, so I became a clinical laboratory assistant program student, went into the lab at Blessing and that was it.”

“They needed a boiler operator and I had experience from the Navy,” said Chuck about joining Blessing.

Jamie’s journey began as a child care student – waiting for her mom and grandmother to finish their shifts while she participated in tricycle races down the hallway of the child care center when it was located in what is now Administration.

“I remember my grandma talking about how much she loves being a nurse when I was a young girl,” she said. “I remember coming to visit her on the floor when she was working. I remember sitting in the lobby of the hospital and watching the big console TV while I waited for my mom or grandma to finish their shift. I certainly believe those memories play a huge part in wanting to create that sort of legacy for my children, all of our employee’s families, and our community.” 

Jamie’s career has included being a nurse intern, EKG technician, labor and delivery nurse, associate nurse manager, manager of Blessed Beginnings/4N, and now administrative director of Women’s Health and Post-Acute Services.

“It was a family job. It seemed like I needed to follow in the family footsteps,” said Sarah, who served in secretarial and clerical roles before becoming a CNA.

“I needed a job and I was interested in healthcare, and so many family members were already here,” added Erica.

“I was looking for something new and this was a great opportunity,” said Jason, who is also earning certification in heating and air conditioning with tuition assistance from Blessing.

What keeps the Reid family at Blessing?

“Seeing patients enter our department or hospital who aren’t well and getting to see them walk out of the hospital healthy, and sometimes better than when they arrived. It’s very rewarding,” said Sarah.

“Every day is something new and interesting to see,” Kim stated.

“One of the greatest things about working for Blessing is you can always find a way to connect personally to your patients and staff,” Jamie added. “Everyone knows everyone and the sense of community is strong. I love getting to serve our community. That personal connection makes it so worthwhile to stay.”  

“I’ve also appreciated the assistance and support with schooling and career advancement. I am very proud to say I work for an organization who has invested in my professional growth - two master’s degrees and a doctorate degree with the support of my leaders and the organization,” she concluded.

“The stability,” said Chuck.

“There is something new all the time and it provides a better family balance at home,” added Jason.

“It was a lifelong dream of mine and it’s great to see it continue,” Audrey concluded.