Stan was born and raised in Bakersfield, California. After completing school, he went into the Air Force for four years. After he left the Air Force, he began to work for Montgomery Ward, where he would spend the next 36 years working in the service and repair department. He tried to retire once but ended up going back to work part time for something to do until the store closed for good.

After he fully retired, Stan and his wife Sharon moved to Kingman. The French’s opted to move to Kingman because Bakersfield had got too big and the pollution too bad. Kingman offered similar weather with nicer people, and the small town feel they had growing up.

Stan and Sharon have been married for 33 years. Together they have three kids ranging in ages from 36-40. They also have eight grandkids and two great-grandkids.

Outside of volunteering his time at KRMC, Stan enjoys reading and spending time with family. He enjoys the time with his grandkids; it keeps him active. There are some occasions where he will go golf, but the weather has to be just right!

Stan enjoys many aspects of volunteering at KRMC, but he had heard a saying that inspired him to volunteer: “If you want to be happy for an hour, take a nap. If you want to be happy for a day, fish. If you want to be happy for a lifetime, help someone.”

Stan enjoys meeting new people every Tuesday when he drives the cart. He’ll tell you that meeting people is his favorite part of the job, along with getting to be outside most of the time. If you’re out and about taking a break on a Tuesday afternoon, make sure you wave to Stan as he passes in the courtesy cart; he’ll be happy to meet you if he hasn’t already!

The KRMC PR department has donated everything you need for the picnic (except the food and ants) and wrapped it up into a drawing. Tickets are $5 each and will be on sale every Friday in the cafeteria from 11 to 1 from June 11th through July 16th. The winning ticket will be pulled at the KRMC Maternity Fair on Saturday, July 17th. Included in the prizes: a Jamis bicycle; a beautiful handmade quilt; a tackle box; a boom box; and two water bottles.

All proceeds go to help support the KRMC team of “Live Now — Africa” as they start to plan their 2010 trip to identify possible sites for future medical support. The team, comprised of Dr. Jeffery Lunn, Leslie Martin, RN, Karol Collison, RN, Gary Mineer, and Gretchen Dorner, will be leaving on the initial site visit trip in early August.

The mission of Live Now is to enhance the health of our global community through clinical care, education and research.  Live Now is a global not-for-profit 501(c)(3) medical organization which provides quality healthcare to disadvantaged peoples around the world. Embedded into the concept of Live Now is the realization that the learning that takes place through these experiences is bidirectional. The volunteers not only provide knowledge and teaching, but also return home with their eyes opened to a new appreciation of life … better people for having served.

Live Now was founded in the spring of 2010 by Leslie Martin, RN, Jeffrey Lunn, MD, and Karol Collison, RN. Through the common interests and shared energy of these core individuals and many more volunteers, Live Now is able to touch and improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities around the world.

For more information check out their website at www.livenowinc.org.

The votes came in this morning, and it was Ryan Kennedy, KRMC COO, who was selected for the coveted role. Video after the jump…

In this 2.2 MB video, we see Ryan run the gauntlet of party-string-wielding colleagues.

Karla Calumet

We’re pleased to welcome Karla Calumet to the KRMC team! Karla recently joined us as the new Director of Hospice. In addition to taking on the many responsibilities of our Hospice program, Karla is a professor in the University of Liverpool’s Master of Public Health Programme.

Previously, Karla consulted in healthcare with the Sutter Health system in California, which resulted in a radio program, interviewing medical experts on cutting edge healthcare topics.

Currently, Karla is working to complete her dissertation for her doctorate as a Health Psychologist, with a focus on cancer and hope. Having completed two years of medical school with her Masters in Health Administration, she is always looking toward how people can be proactive and live healthier lives.

In her free time, she enjoys a wide variety of activities with her family and friends from bicycling to scuba diving, and enjoying nature whenever she can. She’s looking forward to exploring around here in Arizona.

Welcome aboard, Karla! We’re glad you’re here.

A car seat safety check will be provided, sponsored by Deana Nelson State Farm Insurance. Kids will be able to get their vision and hearing tested, height and weight measured, and immunizations brought up-to-date (don’t forget to bring their shot records) as well as get information about poison prevention. Volunteers from Arizona Game & Fish will teach the kids about respecting nature and wildlife, the Mohave County Sheriff’s Department will provide information on Child ID, and they will be able to sign up for library cards with the Mohave County Library. Northern Arizona Soccer League and Pop Warner will be on hand to give information on their 2010 upcoming seasons, and KRMC’s Physical Therapy department will be holding skateboard races in the basketball courts.

This exciting fair will include a bicycle safety rodeo hosted by the Kingman Powerhouse Kiwanis; booths from McTupp, Fastrax, Arizona Youth Partnership, Route 66 Special Olympics; and helicopters from The Department of Public Safety and Guardian Air.

The event is free and open to the public with food, prizes and lots of fun for everyone. Call KRMC Public Relations at (928) 681-8656 for more information.