‘You can’t find a more genuine person’ than Reid’s February Ambassador

Feb. 10, 2023 -- About 13 years ago, Linda Stegall was looking for a new job and she knew exactly where she wanted to work: Reid Health. She was so determined to be hired on, she went online and applied for any open position she could.

"When I went in for my interview, I had to ask which position it was for," Stegall said. "I just wanted to work at Reid so bad.

"I love that over the years, this organization has always been looking to improve things for our patients."

Reid's February Ambassador began her career working in the Café at Twelve Hundred before moving to Richmond Cardiology Associates a couple years later and then to Central Scheduling in 2016 as a clerk.

"I want someone after they've talked with me to feel happy and loved and appreciated. I strive to make a Godly difference in this world," Stegall said.

"Most of the time our department is the last person to talk to a patient before their test, procedure, or visit so I always want to put the patient at ease and make sure they know everything they need so their experience is as good as it can be. The patient is already dealing with worry, so the last thing they need is to be lost or fail their prep because I didn't do my job correctly."

Stegall's co-workers say she treats them with the same love and care as she does patients.

"Linda is always so optimistic. She looks for the best in every situation, no matter what's thrown at her," one person said. "Her heart for her team members goes beyond what I could imagine. You can't find a more genuine person than Linda very easily."

"Most of her work is done behind the scenes over the phone, but when interacting with patients and Reid team members, they can feel her smile and care through the phone," another co-worker said. "She exemplifies Reid's mission."

"Linda is always so optimistic. She looks for the best in every situation, no matter what's thrown at her. Her heart for her team members goes beyond what I could imagine. You can't find a more genuine person than Linda very easily." -- Co-worker

A Richmond native, Stegall and her husband, Billy, have 11 children, 21 grandchildren, two 100-pound dogs, two turtles, and one ragdoll blue-eyed cat. Billy is a retired Reid employee and a former Ambassador himself, receiving the first award after the move to the current hospital in 2008.

The family enjoys being outdoors in the sun, swimming in their pond, kayaking, riding bikes, and riding their golf cart on country roads around Fountain City. Faith plays an important part in their lives. They have attended Victory Church in New Castle for more than 10 years.

"Anyone who does know me knows I love God and I am always praying for everyone," she said. "I start every day in prayer thanking Jesus for a new day. I read the Bible every day, and usually I can read it twice in a year.

"I end every day in a prayer journal, praying for those who needed it that day or writing down amazing things that happened that I know only God could have done."