An Employee Journal
Kachina Point Health Care is happy to have Shirley Hessel, CNA, honored as our May Above & Beyond winner.
Although Shirley has only been with us six months, she has made an impact on our residents. After receiving her CNA training Shirley accepted the position of "Sunshine Program" CNA. This role is part activities and part CNA and all heart. This program serves our most dependent and least responsive residents. However, if you were to say that to Shirley she would disagree. To her, these special residents have lots to offer, respond incredibly to her and give back to her in a way that is hard for her to explain. She takes great pride in making sure they are well groomed and in a setting that is safe, warm and comfortable. Under her guidance, the residents in the program Shirley oversees have shown improvements in hydration and food intake. As a result, the residents have not experienced any weight loss, which is a significant achievement.
Just recently we had a very difficult situation. A resident who had been on Reflections for many years no longer fit the program requirements. We needed to transfer her to a skilled bed. The daughter found this extremely difficult. Shirley offered to serve as the resident’s Angel. She took it upon herself to call the daughter and reassure her that her Mom would be well cared for. Because Shirley already had some other Reflections transfers in her care, she told the daughter it would be "like re-uniting family" and how special that would be. The daughter agreed to the transfer and made a point to tell me that Shirley was the deciding factor. She indeed has been pleased with the care promised to her by "Angel Shirley."
For Shirley, becoming a CNA has been her desire for some time. We are counting our blessings that Shirley chose Kachina Point to expand her horizons. We thank Shirley for her commitment to her residents and are happy to honor her as the May Above & Beyond honoree.
