Family Ties: Ron and Kim Ware enjoy the support they receive at Methodist

A common sentiment of Methodist employees is that their coworkers feel like family. For some employees, that's a reality because their spouse, sibling, child or other relative also works for the health system. 

In this feature, you'll learn more about Ron and Kim Ware, who believe Methodist is a great place to grow in your career.

How long have you been married? Tell us more about your lives outside of work.

We’ve been married for 19 years after tying the knot at a motorcycle rally in Sturgis, South Dakota. 

We have five children ranging in age from 25 to 38 and fur babies that include a Lab, Dodge; and a Havanese, Lucy. We also have 11 grandchildren with one on the way! One of our daughters graduated with her nursing degree from Nebraska Methodist College and works as a nurse in OB/GYN for Methodist. It's truly a family place!

Kim’s hobbies include gardening and spending time with family. She’s always looking for something to redecorate or change in the house and is a true homebody. 

Ron enjoys building street rods with the boys, hunting and fishing with the girls.

How did you meet?

We met in 2001 through a friend who worked as a CNA with Kim on the Mother/Baby floor at Methodist Hospital. 

Kim’s friend thought we would be a great match because Ron was very softhearted and kind. Ron was a single dad, and his kids were his top priority. He was a great dad, and that's what attracted Kim to him. He treated her kids like his own. 

Tell us about your current roles at Methodist.

Kim is a birth certificate clerk at Methodist Women’s Hospital. She’s responsible for recording and submitting all of the hospital’s births to the state. It's a very busy job! Most people don't know all the paperwork that it involves or some of the laws the state has regarding birth and marriage. Some days can be interesting, that's for sure!

Ron is in his sixth year in the engineering department for the health system.

How did each of you find your place at Methodist?

Kim actually became interested in the job as a CNA through the person who introduced her to Ron! She had mentioned to her supervisor at the time, Marie Kozel, that she was interested in applying for a CNA day position. Kim had taught the sibling classes at Methodist and worked in the boutique at Westside Community Center for about a year prior. She interviewed for the job at Methodist, and the rest is history! 

Ron retired from PepsiCo, and Kim said that he should come to Methodist. He applied, and Methodist saw that he had experience as a police officer, so it offered him a position as a public safety officer. Ron worked in public safety for 12 years and then had the opportunity to move into the engineering department. He was recently promoted to lead engineer at Methodist HealthWest.

What is it about Methodist that keeps you coming back?

Kim loves her job as a birth clerk. There’s never a dull moment and she’s constantly busy, so the days fly by! She enjoys the people she works with, meeting new parents and seeing their families grow. She also enjoys seeing all the unique baby names. Kim also loves how Methodist recognizes their employees for their hard work. She was named Methodist Women's Hospital's Employee of the Quarter for the second quarter of 2023, and she received The Caring Kind award from the Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA) in November 2023. 

Ron enjoys building relationships with his coworkers. 

What should people know about Methodist?

If someone was interested in a job at Methodist, we’d tell them that Methodist is a place that offers education to help you grow in your job, it’s a great work environment and the support you get from your supervisor and management is great. March 2025 will mark Kim’s 25^th year at Methodist, and she wouldn't still be at Methodist if it wasn't a great place to work!