With a longstanding love of taking care of others, Diane Brown Balderson, RN, first earned a diploma in nursing from St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington, West Virginia, in 1974. Following this, she worked as a nurse in the office of Dr. M. Homer Cummings in Huntington and as a staff nurse for Timken Mercy Hospital in Canton, Ohio. She then found success at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Pennsylvania, where she worked as an ICU nurse in the open heart intensive care unit. Returning to West Virginia, she obtained a Bachelor of Science in nursing from West Virginia University in 1989 and began work at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Parkersburg, where she spent time as the administrative director of physician services, the administrative director of emergency and trauma services, the trauma nurse coordinator, and the assistant director of the nursing emergency service.
Holding certification as an instructor in advanced cardiovascular life support, basic life support and critical care, Ms. Balderson notably held the first statewide trauma course in West Virginia during her time at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Furthermore, she is a founding member of the Trauma Coordinator Core Course, now known as the Trauma Program Manager Course, which is run by the American Trauma Society. She is gratified to have been the first course director for the program and also spent time on the board of directors for the American Trauma Society. Other involvements of hers include serving on the boards of directors of the Southern Emergency Medical Service Board and Region V Emergency Medical Services, and holding membership with the West Virginia State Trauma Nurse Coordinators.
Attributing much of her success to her innate gifts and talents, Ms. Balderson is equally grateful for the guidance and direction of her parents, who instilled in her a love of God and a strong work ethic. Throughout the years, she has done considerable work in team building and working with people who have differing opinions. She brought these skills to her work at Health Age Consulting Service, where she excelled until her retirement from the field of medicine.
Today Ms. Balderson is the owner of Carls Pawn Shop, which was established and run by her husband until his passing. She oversees both locations of the shop while managing work on several rental properties as well. Remaining involved in this professional, she affiliates herself with the National Pawnbrokers Association, the National Rifle Association, the Fort Boreman Rifle Club and is an honorary member of the Marietta Gun Club. Civically active as well, Ms. Balderson has donated her time to the boards of directors for the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation, Trinity United Methodist Church and the Parkersburg Country Club.
