In the heart of Whitley County, the Gebert family’s story is one of love, service and the quiet strength that binds generations together.
Carla Gebert grew up on a farm where hard work was a way of life. “Farm life keeps the kids busy,” she said. “It teaches them values. They do chores before school and after school, learning responsibility and how to care for others.”
For Carla, those early lessons of putting others first shaped her career. She has served in prehospital services as EMS at Parkview Whitley Hospital since she was 17 years old. “Do the work, but do it for the right reasons,” she said. “That’s loving what you do.”
Her husband, Steve, shares that same devotion to service. A longtime paramedic for Parkview Whitley and firefighter, he has spent decades protecting and caring for his neighbors. “My grandpa always taught me to help the neighbors,” he recalled. “It was just what you did.” For Steve, that commitment to community isn’t just a job, it’s a calling. “When you see someone months later and they thank you,” he said, “it means a lot. What you do matters.”
When family becomes the patient
Carla’s mother, Pat Clark, is the heart of the large family. A pillar of kindness and quiet strength, she’s the one who passed down the values that shaped Carla. “She will not let anything step in the way of her family,” Carla said.
But just before Easter, the family had a scare, when Pat suffered a stroke. “She told me she was tired,” Carla recalled, “but something wasn’t sitting right.” As an experienced EMS professional, Carla’s instincts told her to take her mother to Parkview Whitley. It was a decision that made all the difference.
Dr. Joseph Hoeksema, the physician who treated Pat, remembers the moment clearly. “The kind of stroke she had is notoriously difficult to diagnose and treat,” he explained. “Sometimes the best thing we can do is listen.” And that’s exactly what he did.
“I didn’t really want to go to the hospital,” Pat admitted, “but he was so nice. I’m very appreciative.”
For Carla, it was both humbling and affirming to be on the other side of the care she’s so often provided. “What I appreciated about Dr. Hoeksema was that he kept searching,” she said. “He listened and followed his gut.” Pat ultimately received all the care she needed close to home, thanks to the skill and dedication of the Parkview Whitley team. “We didn’t have to go anywhere else,” Carla said. “Everything she needed was right here.”
The Geberts and Pat are immensely thankful for, not only the exceptional care they received, but also the support they continue to get from their small community. Theirs is a story that demonstrates the power of looking out for our neighbors and taking pride in the way we care for those around us.
