Amber Meyer is Good Samaritan’s National Ever Forward Employee Champion
Hours before a special surprise in the chapel loaded with confetti cannons, teammates and beloved residents, Good Samaritan Society – Water Valley Senior Living Resort administrator Amanda Kerr was trying to keep what was coming a secret.
An employee of hers in Colorado, Amber Meyer, was about to be named the National Ever Forward Employee Champion.
“When I found out, I hid from her for two hours,” jokes Blade Ota, Good Samaritan chef supervisor and Amber’s boyfriend. “Because I probably would have told her.”
Blade and Amber work together in the kitchen, and he admits he’s not good at lying to his significant other of four years.
“We kept him in the office and her out of the office,” Amanda adds with a smile.
Out of sight, the plan worked, and Amber later sat down in a packed chapel thinking she was attending a town hall event. That’s when Good Samaritan president and CEO Nate Schema announced Amber is considered one of the best.
“I just fell to my knees and put my head in my knees and was just so shocked. I could barely get up. My heart was pounding,” Amber says. “I’m very honored.”
Resident Rick Newman was asked to hand Amber some flowers and congratulations. He was more than happy to participate.
“30 seconds before it happened I kind of had a feeling what was going on. I was crying with her. Real tickled,” Rick says.
'She's made a difference in what I've gone through'
The nutrition and food services supervisor, Amber tends the independent living location’s bistro while serving residents hungry for breakfast or lunch. Rick is one of her bistro regulars.
“She’s important to me,” Rick says regarding Amber. “She’s made a difference in what I’ve gone through.”
Rick moved in two years ago after his wife was diagnosed with dementia. When she died, Amber was a consistent, positive person who kept him going.
“That’s something you don’t see in everybody. It’s special,” Rick says.
Referencing the award, he adds, “she deserves that, and she deserves a whole lot more.”
Blade sees her efforts firsthand every day and notes, “Amber deserves it because she’s a hard worker. She goes above and beyond for a lot of the residents here.”
'I look for her every morning'
A mom of two who managed restaurants and served as a cook, Amber didn’t know what to expect when she was hired at Good Samaritan. It’s turned out to be way more than just a paycheck.
“This job for me, I make a difference here and I truly love that. I’ve never had a job before that has allowed me to do that,” Amber says.
A hub of activity, the senior living community really comes together around food.
“Dining, and the kitchen, is the biggest social event we have here,” Amanda says.
“Amber touches each of the residents’ lives that she interacts with just by smiling, by knowing their story, by delivering food when they’re sick or just knowing if they’re having a bad day.”
Setting that tone is helping create a culture unlike any other.
“It’s a culture of serving the residents. It’s a culture of loving each other,” Randy Fitzgerald, Good Samaritan regional vice president, says. “It is truly a remarkable community we have here at Water Valley.”
Lou Warner still loves the Good Samaritan apartment she’s made home for eight years overlooking the nearby lake. And when she heads down for her morning coffee, she can’t wait to catch up with Amber.
“She goes fast. She remembers what you want and how you want it,” Lou says. “Boy she’s a great server, great person to be working here. I’m glad she is because I look for her every morning when I come down.”
Fresh off a workout at the local community center, Don Frevert is popping into the bistro to visit Amber and pick up some omelets to go.
“I’ve only been here nine months but that’s nine months in the Amber fan club,” Don says.
'I have never in my life, ever felt like this'
Amber believes, “it really goes miles and miles how you treat people, and a smile can do phenomenal things for people.”
A self-proclaimed morning person, Amber arrives early ready for the world.
“I just want to make their experience in everything that they have with us, interacting with us, just great,” Amber says.
She’s motivated because of her interest in and care for those she serves. Support from teammates and Good Samaritan leaders also goes a long way.
“I am truly, truly valued here at work and I have never in my life, ever felt like this,” Amber says.
“I love it here.”
Never expecting recognition, she admits it feels good to know people think highly of her effort and attitude.
“I just believe that in life you truly get what you put into the world. This is my time. I’ve just worked really, really hard for it,” Amber says.
