Whatever It Takes And Then Some Champions of Care – January 2021

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 January 2021 winners. These associates are certainly Champions of Care!

Jason Barnes, laundry associate at Payson Care Center in Payson, Arizona, showed his dedication to work and his team members by showing up to work in the middle of a snowstorm. He walked two miles in two feet of snow to show up for work at 5:30 a.m.

Shelby Atcheson, certified nursing assistant at Life Care Center of Bruceton-Hollow Rock in Bruceton, Tennessee, knew a resident was a huge fan of Tennessee Volunteers football. She would on many occasions call her boyfriend, who was also a fan, and have the resident and him talk together about the latest football happenings. 

Pamela Rutzen, director of social services at Life Care Center of Acton, Massachusetts, stepped in when a resident was disappointed. The resident’s sister had brought her an iced coffee, which was delivered to the resident, but the coffee spilled. Pamela saw that the resident was upset and went out and came back with a replacement iced coffee, which made the resident’s day!

Melinda Morales, certified nursing assistant at Briarwood Health Care Center in Denver, went the extra mile for a resident. After working a day shift on a Saturday, Melinda took the time to help weigh residents, assisting with seven out of 11 who needed to be weighed. She then rubbed a resident’s feet and legs with lotion and, at the very end, gave a shower to a resident who wasn’t assigned one for the day. She also clipped the resident’s nails and gave him a haircut and shave. When the executive director asked why she did this, she shared, “I thought he would relax and have a better night’s sleep.”