Employee Achievements
To work at Kindred means to be part of a team dedicated to quality care. Here’s a look at life at Kindred as seen through the eyes of its team members.
January 2009 Above & Beyond
Eileen Anderson is the Business Office Assistant at Vallhaven. She has been with the facility for a year. Eileen has been a great team player. Her first year here, she has assisted nursing, making beds during the holidays. She worked in the laundry to assist in catch up during several weekends and evenings. Eileen and her spouse came in on her own time (Sat & Sun) to hold a lost clothing drive. At Christmas time this year, she was to take two residents on an outing. When she came in, one resident was ill but she took the other resident to view Christmas lights and for a tour through the Oshkosh Park, of the "Tour of Lights" again involving her spouse. Eileen also offered her assistance with Vallhaven's annual Harvestfest with her spouse. Eileen was chosen to be an angel for several residents and the residents really enjoy her visits. Eileen came to Vallhaven with no long term care experience and has done a wonderful job. Eileen is also willing to assist with any special projects or typing as requested and completes these tasks timely. Eileen is well deserving of this award.
December 2008 Above & Beyond
Misook Orlando has been a Nursing Assistant at Vallhaven since April, 1996. I received a letter from the brother of one of our residents regarding Misook. On her weekend off, Misook took resident Nate to visit a large farming operation that belonged to one of her relatives. Nate was a farmer all his life and was so greatful for this opportunity he told everyone of his experience. Misook and her family treated Nate to dinner before returning to the facility.
Misook also has taken on responsiblities at Vallhaven as nursing scheduler and filling in as central supply as needed. Misook always has a smile and brings happiness to all her residents. She is an excelleant example of a staff member with a positve attitude and always puts the residents first. She is very deserving of this award.
November 2008 Above & Beyond
Mary Jane McClelland has given 30 years to the residents at Vallhaven Care Center. She has seen many residents come and go. She gave the same compassion and respect to each and every one of them. We only recently became aware that she has been diagnosed with cancer and has been working in excruciating pain for the past several months. She is devastated to be unable to continue working, but her cancer has advanced quickly to Stage 4 and her prognosis is poor. She is going to live in Wisconsin Rapids with her daughter. No one deserves this award more than Mary Jane for her continued dedication to Vallhaven.
Mary Jane McClellan has been with Kindred for over 30 years, the entire time as a CNA at Vallhaven Care Center. She was recently diagnosed with cancer. She worked in excruciating pain right up until she was literally unable to walk. She is devastated and unable to work. She has a mass in her pelvic area, spots on her right lung, and a suspicious spot on the back of her head. Her cancer has advanced quickly to Stage 4 and her prognosis is poor. She is currently living with her daughter, Tara, in Wisconsin Rapids.
To help her out, the staff at VCC decided to have some fundraisers. We had a taco bar, baked potatoes, hot dog sales and two holiday bake sales. Everyone knew the funds would be going to Mary Jane, and the turnout was amazing. For every sale, people were buying items faster than we could set up the tables! Just before Christmas, ED Cindy Anderson and DNS Kathy Kubichek visited Mary Jane to help her fill out FMLA paperwork and to give her some of the collection. They also brought her a check from The HOPE Fund. The look on her face (at right) says it all!
Mary Jane was picked for our November Above and Beyond employee. She has gone Above and Beyond for over 30 years! She was also picked for the district Above and Beyond for the quarter. She has given every resident the same compassion and respect in those 30 years!
We all miss her very much, but we know she is right where she needs to be, surrounded by her family.
October 2008 Above & Beyond
I am writing this letter in favor of Tracie Lautenschlager for the Above & Beyond award. Tracie is an LPN here at Vallhaven care center; she has worked for the company for 13 years. She started out as a CNA, worked in Medical records, RCS, became a Med Tech, and now she is an LPN.
Tracie always has a caring, positive, way about her; she loves to talk to residents and their families.
Tracie also went above her LPN duties and was trained how to draw blood and was trained on the proper procedure of IVs.
Tracie does so much for our residents and staff. She sews scrub tops for some staff, and mends clothes. Tracie also sews cath bags for our residents and mends clothes for residents, and so much more.
Tracie also picks up a lot of extra shifts, and on weekends she is willing to stay over and help out.
Tracie is very involved in the community with functions related to Vallhaven. She participates in Relay for Life and the Alzheimer’s association. She is a very talented individual and very crafty. She donates items that she makes and the proceeds go to these organizations. She has a heart of gold. We are truly blessed to have an employee as dedicated as her and she is well deserving of this award.
