Morgan Hill ’ s
Patty Sebald
SAINT LOUISE REGIONAL HOSPITAL
The day Patty Sebald completed her Master ’ s degree , she went upstairs with a cookbook in one hand , and a book and magazine in the other . “ I was in heaven ,” recalls Sebald , Director of Surgical Services at Saint Louise Regional Hospital for the past 14 years .
Sebald , who has worked at St . Louise Hospital for the past 25 years , said her Master ’ s of Science degree with a leadership management focus came after three years of study and hard work .
“ That was a huge accomplishment for me , which just proves you ’ re never to old to learn ,” Sebald , 58 , said .
Sebald , who has lived in Morgan Hill since 1982 , said she knew she wanted to be in the medical field since high school .
“( It ) always intrigued me . I found it exciting and challenging and I wanted to be a part of it .”
Born in Michigan , Sebald joined the Air Force in the 1970s and received her Associate ’ s degree in 1982 and her Bachelor ’ s degree in 2007 . She said she thought she always wanted to be a staff nurse until her boss – her director of surgery at the time - encouraged and mentored her , which she said inspired her to aim higher .
“ I believe that if current leaders don ’ t encourage and don ’ t see that spark in their staff members , then its up to us to keep moving forward ,” said Sebald .
Sebald said she is excited to see that her degree is already serving her well in her current role at St . Louise Regional Hospital .
“ I can speak to why we do the things we do and why they are important and why the initiatives we put into place for customer care exist ,” she said .
Sebald is just as passionate about her community and volunteering as she is about her job .
Sebald was presented with the Morgan Hill Volunteer of the Year Award in 2009 .
A 2002 Leadership Morgan Hill graduate , Sebald has been the volunteer coordinator for Taste of Morgan Hill for many years . She also has volunteered for the Gilroy Garlic Festival , chairing various areas including mercantile and cookbooks . This year , she is working on the cook-off stage .
Sebald credits her husband David for her instilling in her a love of volunteering . They met in 1990 when he was in charge of the parking lot for the Garlic Festival . They celebrate their 21st wedding anniversary this month .
Now that she has completed her Master ’ s degree , Sebald said she is looking forward to doing some of her favorite things again like traveling , hiking and cooking .
“ I get to get back in my kitchen . I ’ m a true foodie . I love good food and wine .”
By Kelly Barbazette
S P R I N G 2 0 1 4 M O R G A N H I L L T O D A Y
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