For Beverly Stafford, her job is really about turning the visions of others into reality, and she loves doing it.
Stafford, director of the St. Mary's Foundation, has spent 15 years focusing on fundraising and acting as what she calls a "facilitator," connecting the dots between the vision and needs for St. Mary's Health Center and the community's interest in funding those needs. She said serving the hospital and the foundation has been incredibly fulfilling for her.
"If I can help them make things happen, that is where I get my greatest joy," Stafford said. "It's something I've just thoroughly enjoyed."
Stafford began at the St. Mary's Foundation in 1995 as development coordinator and became foundation director in 1999. But she will move into her new office at the new hospital location on Mission Drive on Nov. 3, and she can't wait.
One of the best aspects of working out of the new location for Stafford will be seeing the Stella Maris statue every day. The statue was unveiled earlier this month at the new hospital. The statue was carved from Italian marble and designed by the late Sabra Eagan, who died from ALS in May 2013.
"It truly is designed to inspire and encourage in conversations of the heart," Stafford said.
Seeing that statue every day will provide continual inspiration, she said.
Stafford even took two trips to Italy with other hospital officials during the year and a half it took to complete the project. When asked about how it felt to see the completed statute for that first time in Italy, she began to cry.
"The first time that I saw the clay model, even last year, I was moved to tears because I could feel the spiritual ... God's presence, Sabra's presence," she said. "To see it in its final form ... it was such a joy because it has this meaning and purpose."
Stafford has been part of the 10-year process that led to the new hospital location and is incredibly excited to see the hospital begin admitting patients Nov. 16.
"That has really been a privilege," Stafford said of being involved in the project.
As for her spare time, Stafford said mainly she just loves to learn. Completing her bachelor's and master's degrees felt like her own version of a hobby, she said.
"Whether it's structured learning or just being kind of thrown into new circumstances and new projects, I just jump in and learn everything that I can," Stafford said.
Besides that, she loves to spend quality time with her family and friends at a house at the Lake of the Ozarks.
"It's therapy for me to be down there and have fun and laugh and just enjoy the time with friends and family," she said.