Finding Wonder & Marvel in "The Ordinary"
June 19, 2019NOTE: This story was taken from the blog of Foundations Health leader Bob Speelman. Each week Bob works at one of his facilities in different roles such as housekeeping, or as a nursing assistant, to bring A Culture of Care.
I worked as an STNA yesterday at Riverview Pointe, our 101-bed, Four-Star facility in Olmsted Falls, Ohio. Mallory Fitzsimmons is the Administrator there and has an amazing group of caregivers and employees that are making a real difference.
I had the privilege of working with a few of those amazing people on Riverview's memory care unit called Serenity Circle. Thomas Hogan, Reseign Wilson, and Shanequa Ivey. Thomas is 23 years old and was an STNA for three years before becoming an LPN. Reseign, Shanequa, Mallory, and honestly, everyone I met loves Thomas. His love and passion for helping his residents and his fellow staff was powerful to see. You would see him behind the nurses' station for a few minutes at a time documenting, taking calls from the hospital or a physician, but most of his time was out on the floor helping his residents and his staff of STNA's. Family members adore him because of these very reasons.
Reseign and Shanequa were just as passionate and loving toward their residents. I had the opportunity to speak to a couple family members that happened to be visiting their parents and I could see the love and affection they had for these two. I asked one family member why he liked Reseign so much and he responded, "Because she pays attention to the residents and their needs, she has a wonderful personality, you can count on her and she's cute." He smiled with his last comment.
I have to tell you, I had an absolute blast working with the team back on this unit. We talked about their families, their career goals, what they loved about long term care, what we do well as a company, and what we could improve on. We laughed with each other and cared for the residents the entire time. The whole day flew by and before I knew it, it was time to go.
I left Riverview Pointe energized about our Culture of Care and the people we have working for us and caring for our residents and honestly caring for each other.
"Do not ask your children to strive for extraordinary lives. Such striving may seem admirable, but it is the way of foolishness. Help them instead to find the wonder and the marvel of an ordinary life. Show them the joy of tasting tomatoes, apples and pears. Show them how to cry when pets and people die. Show them the infinite pleasure in the touch of a hand. And make the ordinary come alive for them. The extraordinary will take care of itself."
William Martin
Thomas, Reseign, and Shanequa – Thank you for the time we shared yesterday. It was so good to get to know you and witness firsthand the love and care you show our residents. What you guys did yesterday may have seemed ordinary to you but I guess that's the point. You were fully engaged with your residents and each other and celebrated and enjoyed the ordinary daily things that most people don't. The difference you are making in the lives of your resident and their families and your coworkers is extraordinary!
With much Love,