Ray Stamper didn’t grow up wanting to be a nurse. In fact, it wasn’t until 2005 at the ripe old age of 38 that he earned his registered nurse degree!
“I finally decided what I wanted to be when I grew up,” he jokes.
Ray first became a nurse with us in June of 2009. He was originally hired to help open Mercy Health – Mt. Orab Medical Center, worked there for a couple of years and then left to travel.
“I returned to Mercy Health at Clermont Hospital in a night charge role from 2013 to 2015. Then, I went back again in May of 2022 for my current role as a nurse in the interventional radiology department.”
While Ray loves what he does now, nursing wasn’t his first calling the in the medical field.
“I actually started my medical career at a local power plant,” he explains. “I wanted to be on the rope, rescue and confined space team, but, that required being an EMT.”
So, in 1992, Ray obtained his EMT and FF certification and worked at the power plant department for six years. He also spent 20 years at his local volunteer fire department where I spent 20 years.
“I have primarily worked in acute care settings: in emergency, flight, hospice admissions, cardiac cath lab and, now today, in interventional radiology.”
With his extensive background in the medical field, Ray has seen many patients over the years in all different areas.
“Working in acute care tends to bring some of the sickest, critically injured patients that you can experience,” Ray explains. “Those are the most memorable for their own reasons and stay with you. But, they are also learning experiences for future patient care.”
With all his experience in the medical field, can you believe that Ray has time for hobbies outside of work?
First and foremost, he has been married to his wife, Laura, for 37 years.
“She is also a nurse who currently works as a provider at an interventional cardiology practice,” he adds.
Together they own 35 acres with cattle, goats, hay and a garden, all of which Ray enjoys.
“We have started making our own spaghetti sauce with our vegetables along with canning corn, beans and doing anything we can with all the zucchini,” he shares. “In fact, I’ve been threatened if I plant more than one this year.”
Around Christmas time, while the girls in the family are baking, the guys make BBQ sauce.
“We made 16 gallons of BQQ sauce this past year,” Ray adds. “I also golf whenever I can, which is usually at least once a week.”
Not only is National Nurses Month in May, but National Nurses Week is May 6 to May 12.
To all our nurses, we thank you for the excellent care you provide our patients every day! Read more of our nurses’ stories to celebrate.
Also, if you’re a nurse or a health care professional, we invite you to explore and pursue a career with us.
