News

Diana Gartrell
Volunteer - Information Desk & Hematology/Oncology Clinic
The Importance of Caring | my journey into volunteering

Forty-three years ago, Diana Gartrell gave birth to three healthy boys at Columbus Community Hospital — triplets who kept her plenty busy as they were growing up in the 80s and 90s.

Now, Gartrell has returned to the place where it all started — this time as a hospital volunteer. “I always had this in the back of my bucket list when I retired,” she said.

Interestingly enough, two of those three boys grew up to become doctors, and the other son works in finance and married a doctor. “All of my boys were involved in scouts throughout their lives and became Eagle Scouts,” she said. “They went to an Explorers group, where they learned about the field of medicine. Then, as they got older, they shadowed some of the doctors here in town. All of that together led two of them to want to be doctors.”

Both of the doctors are family practice physicians in Omaha. Over the years, Gartrell has watched how much they enjoy their chosen profession and thought she might like to play a role in helping people heal, too. After she retired in April 2025 from a 21-year career at Cornhusker Public Power District, she finally had the opportunity to do so.

Gartrell is now one of the many volunteers at Columbus Community Hospital who improve the lives of their fellow community members. Specifically, she helps at the hospital’s information desk and in the hematology/oncology clinic, and she also volunteers at special events and with other departments as needed.

“Now that I’m retired, I’m able to do some things I have wanted to do for a long time — including volunteering at CCH,” she said. “Seeing what my family members do in their field, I felt this was an opportunity that was rewarding — giving back, helping others and hopefully making a difference.”

The volunteering experience has been everything Gartrell imagined it would be and more. “I love it,” she said. “I’m a people person, and I like being able to get out and have a rapport with patients and their families. I’ve had people say, ‘Thank you for what you’re doing’ to me, and that makes me feel like I’m doing something good. I also just like meeting new people.”

Originally from western Nebraska, Gartrell has lived in Columbus since 1978, when her husband’s job at Vishay brought them to the community.

When she’s not volunteering, Gartrell has plenty of activities she loves to do, including walking, biking and spending time with her family. She particularly enjoys baking, and during the holidays, she likes making Christmas plates for her neighbors (her chocolate chip cookies are particularly good). She’s also a proud contributor to the volunteer and guest services department’s fundraiser bake sales.

Gartrell enjoys watching Cornhusker athletic events — especially volleyball. And though her three grandchildren live out of state, she takes every opportunity to catch up with them.

“I have a lot more time to do the things I love, now that I’m retired,” she said.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities available at the hospital, visit columbushosp.org.