Gene Gruver supports Children’s Hospital Foundation and Norton Healthcare Foundation events such as annual golf outings and Bike to Beat Cancer, where he’s been a dedicated participant since 2008.

Story by: Erin Wiedmar on December 30, 2019

Gene Gruver ensures that patients, guests and staff have access to food and beverages nearly around the clock at Norton Healthcare’s cafeterias and bistros.

Gene is system director, food services, but his commitment goes far beyond his 18 years working at Norton Healthcare through the health care system’s partnership with Morrison Healthcare food service. Gene’s dedication to patients’ and employees’ well-being can be seen in his support of Children’s Hospital Foundation and Norton Healthcare Foundation events such as annual golf outings and Bike to Beat Cancer, where he’s been a dedicated participant since 2008.

“My first Bike to Beat Cancer ride to Lexington and back was very painful,” Gene said. “But it also made me realize that it was in no way the kind of pain that people who have cancer deal with on a daily basis. At some point on every ride in the past 11 years, this thought comes to my mind.”

In addition to participating, Gene supplies meals and snacks for volunteers and guests at many events, such as the Celebration of Courage the night before Bike to Beat Cancer. He also champions the annual Smoothie Bike tour that raises funds for Bike to Beat Cancer while promoting employee health.

“Since the beginning, Gene has been a strong partner … offering employees ways to be healthy at work,” said Allison Ledford, director, employee wellness, Norton Healthcare. “He has helped drive the organization’s focus on the power of food in healing and well-being and, likewise, helps the community through his generosity and dedication to our foundations.”

For Gene, volunteering is the right thing to do. In recognition of Gene’s tireless dedication to service, the Norton Healthcare Foundation recently named Gene a Volunteer of the Year for 2019.

“There is always an opportunity to give back,” Gene said. “I’m proud to be part of an organization that calls on employees to serve others while on and off the clock.”