Sister Mary Meyers: A “Marvel Comic” of Faith, Nursing, adn Service to the Underserved
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A lifelong dedication to service has led Sister Mary Meyers on an extraordinary journey, from classrooms to intensive care units and free clinics, providing vital healthcare to those most in need.
Sister Mary Meyers, a member of the Sisters of st. Joseph of Baden, embodies a modern-day call to service. Her path, as she describes it, “is quiet a story, more like a Marvel comic,” a testament to a life dedicated to evolving ministries and unwavering compassion. At 71, Meyers continues to balance a full-time position at Duquesne University with weekend volunteer work, offering essential healthcare to vulnerable populations in Ohio and West Virginia.
From Staten Island to the Sisterhood
Born and raised in Staten Island,New york,Meyers initially envisioned a more conventional life. A “chance encounter” in her high school counselor’s office altered her trajectory, leading her to St.Joseph’s University of Brooklyn, where she first connected with the Sisters of St. Joseph. “I immediately felt at home with them,” she recalled, drawn to their “honest humanity and sense of humor.” After graduating in 1976, she entered the sisterhood.
A Journey of education and Service
Meyers’ commitment to education began early. She leveraged her master’s degree in education and extensive teaching experiance to tutor struggling students.Driven by a desire to deepen her clinical skills, she pursued and earned both a master’s degree and a doctorate of nursing practice from St. Louis University.
Her clinical rotations led her to the Ohio Valley Health Center in steubenville, Ohio, a free clinic serving the uninsured and underinsured. Simultaneously,she began volunteering with Project HOPE in Wheeling,West Virginia,providing care to unsheltered individuals. This work, she explains, ofen feels like a “modern day MASH unit,” focused on immediate care and connecting patients with vital resources like housing, addiction treatment, and mental health services.
A Medical Provider of the Year and a Growing Concern
This year, Meyers was rightfully honored by the Ohio Valley Health Center as their Medical Provider of the Year, a recognition of her tireless dedication. Despite her demanding schedule, she continues to volunteer her time, recognizing the critical need for accessible healthcare.
However, Meyers expresses deep concern about the future of healthcare for the poor. She notes that the biggest hurdles faced by unsheltered individuals are access to treatment for drug addiction and mental health issues. While current government cuts haven’t yet had a drastic impact, she anticipates challenges ahead. The possibility of increased institutionalization for those struggling with addiction and homelessness is notably alarming,as is the systemic denial of housing to individuals with felony convictions,even after they have served their time.”Everything in society works against them,” she laments, “and we try to give them some love and help in a world that vilifies them.”
Facing Challenges and Maintaining Hope
Meyers acknowledges the physical demands of her multifaceted role, admitting that her biggest challenge is maintaining her energy levels. Yet, she remains steadfast in her commitment. “I waited a long time to become a nurse, and then a nurse practitioner,” she says. “I will use it for the people of God for as long as I can.”
Looking ahead, Meyers fears a growing “cruelty toward the poor” under the current administration, even extending to essential services like vaccinations.She recounts a recent case involving a patient with a severe strep infection and a potentially life-threatening peritonsillar abscess, highlighting the anxieties faced by undocumented families fearing detention by ICE when seeking medical care. “These are things I would never have believed possible a couple of years ago,” she states. “Health care in this country is fractured, insurance is impossible for many low-income people, and now we have an administration who is trying to destroy it from within.God help us!”
Despite these daunting challenges, Sister Mary Meyers remains a beacon of hope, demonstrating the transformative power of faith, compassion, and unwavering dedication to serving those in need.
