Good Samaritan Society – Kissimmee Village

Feb 20, 2012

(Kissimmee, Fla.) – Staff members are our greatest asset at Good Samaritan Society – Kissimmee Village. In honor of staff members’ dedication to their work and love for Village residents, three special staff members are recognized each year. This year’s winners are:

 

Village Staff Member of the Year:
Donna Meyer, licensed practical nurse at Heritage Creekside assisted living

 

Healthcare Center Staff Member of the Year:
Dawn Wurst, registered nurse in memory care

 

CNA of the Year:
Barbara Knicley, certified nursing assistant

 

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Village Staff Member of the Year: Donna Meyer, licensed practical nurse at Heritage Creekside assisted living

The award was presented by Luz Baez, director of Heritage Creekside. She describes Donna as “dependable, compassionate, and well-liked by both the residents and the staff.” Luz also says Donna is a strong advocate for residents and makes sure they receive excellent care.

 

Donna has worked for the Good Samaritan Society for 14 years. Two years ago, after digging her car out of a 5-foot by 5-foot by 8-foot Nebraska snowdrift to get to work, she started looking for job openings at Good Samaritan Society centers in Florida. Fortunately there was an opening at Kissimmee Village so she transferred from the Bloomfield, Neb., center to Heritage Creekside.

 

Her job gives Donna the opportunity to continue doing what she loves: caring for seniors. Her commitment to residents is always evident. Congratulations Donna!

 

 

Healthcare Center Staff Member of the Year: Dawn Wurst, registered nurse in memory care

Dawn Wurst usually covers the memory care unit during all-staff meetings, so she was taken by surprise when Director of Nursing Debbie Coy announced Dawn as the recipient of the healthcare center staff member of the year.

 

Dawn has felt drawn to senior care since she was a nursing student. She started working in the Good Samaritan Society – Kissimmee Village activities department in 1988. She has worked in the memory care unit since it opened.

 

In making this nomination, Debbie says that Dawn’s thorough knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is complimented by a natural respect that she shows for residents. Dawn takes her job seriously, recognizing that family members have entrusted their loved ones to her care.

 

Dawn’s talent as an artist shows in her daily life. She leads art classes but she also uses creative solutions at work. Dawn will ask a former bookkeeper to help sort something that’s “a mess” and she’ll ask for help in the garden from a gentleman who spent most of his life outdoors.

 

Through Dawn’s weaving of each resident’s story into his or her daily activities, they experience joy and a feeling of success. Dawn also leads the Alzheimer’s support group that meets the second Wednesday of every month. Congratulations Dawn!

 

 

CNA of the Year: Barbara Knicley, certified nursing assistant

Dionne Wiggan, assistant director of nursing, describes this year’s CNA of the Year, Barbara Knicley, as an advocate for residents and a team player. She goes above and beyond the line of duty to provide the best care possible.

 

But, it’s the late-night smiles that make Barbara a particularly special staff member. Her positive attitude, accompanied by a smile, is perfect for her 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift, Dionne says. Residents see Barbara’s smile as they go to sleep and again when they wake in the morning. She also shares her positive attitude in her work at the rehabilitation center.

 

Barbara recognizes that many residents don’t have family who visit them so she provides the kind of love and attention she would give her own family. When she became a CNA 27 years ago, she says she viewed it not as a job but as a choice with responsibilities. She carries that feeling of responsibility into her time off, where she steps in to assist others in any way she can. Congratulations, Barbara!