Whatever It Takes And Then Some Champions of Care – December 2020

Life Care Centers of America’s Whatever It Takes And Then Some program honors associates who go beyond their job descriptions in caring for residents, their families and fellow associates. Here are four of the inspiring stories from our December 2020 winners. These associates are certainly Champions of Care!

Denise Stakey, physical therapist assistant at Parkview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Paducah, Kentucky, helped residents have a happy Christmas. She paid for items with her own money for residents to give to their families and fixed up small baskets. One resident was given a truck to paint for his son. It went missing, and Denise went back to the store and got another one. She also made a basket with this resident so he could give his wife something for Christmas. Additionally, she brought in decorations and often buys stickers for the residents’ windows.

Sheri Phegley, business office manager at The Westchester House in Chesterfield, Missouri, used her own time to create a video greeting for the facility’s winter party. Families recorded greetings for their loved ones, which played over and over as the residents entered the dining area. Many residents and some associates were even brought to tears.  

Wendy Smith, licensed practical nurse at The Highlands in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, took the time to make culinary delights for the residents. She worked all day on Christmas Eve on the COVID-19 unit, then went home and picked up all kinds of seafood, including lobster, to make a seafood dip for her residents. She even went as far as to make a Haitian dish and puree it as a special treat for a Haitian resident who was on a restricted-texture diet.

Dianne Montez, certified nursing assistant at Valley View Villa in Fort Morgan, Colorado, volunteered to work on the COVID-19 unit even though her husband is high-risk. She sat with residents who were passing so they wouldn’t be alone. She speaks Spanish and sat with one of the Spanish-speaking residents. His family told her some music that he enjoys. She played it for him and held his hand to soothe him as he passed away.