The Star of the Team is the Team
Left to right: Jagena Burns, Brady Etzler, Jill Hensley, Jennie Elliott
April 24, 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 spent the day as an STNA at Siena Gardens, our new facility in Cincinnati, Ohio. Brady Etzler is the Administrator, and Jennie Elliott is the Director of Nursing. They are both doing an outstanding job building their team of Care Givers. One of those team members that I had the privilege of working with is Jill Hensley. Jill is 45 years old, has two daughters, and has an incredible gift of caring for others.
Jill told me that she helped care for her Grandmother for 15 years who had Alzheimer’s. Jill said after doing that she knew that being an STNA was her calling. The same love and compassion she had shown her grandmother, she is now showing the residents she cares for at Siena Gardens.
One thing that was quickly evident while working with Jill is she was quick to praise her coworkers. She told me about Brady, the Administrator, who is also an STNA and how he would come out of the office often and help out on the floor. She told me about the ADON Jagena (Jae) Burns and how she was always willing to help them out. She bragged about other Nurses, STNA’s, Housekeepers, Laundry Staff, the Maintenance man, and how they all worked together as a team.
The pride you felt as Jill was talking about her team and their passion for caring for their residents was heartwarming. It reminded me of a quote from the legendary UCLA Basketball Coach John Wooden:
“The Star of the Team is the Team.”
Thank you, Jill - and everyone at Siena Gardens! I thoroughly enjoyed my time with you and your residents. I left your facility extremely proud about the Culture of Care you have there and the difference you are making every day.