Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor
NOVEMBER 2020
Year of the Nurse
The World Health Organization designated 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife in honor of the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. Nurses and midwives play a vital role in our society. They are the people who devote their lives to caring for our children, mothers, fathers, and elderly in our community. No matter the day or circumstance, nurses are there to make a difference. “Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor has many great nurses. Each and every one of them are dedicated and resilient, ensuring everyone has the care they need,” stated Sarah Griggs, executive director. Meet our nurses. Find out why they became nurses and what is their “why.” Chris Armstrong, RN Nurse since 1985 Why I became a nurse: “My great aunt was a nurse, and that’s all I have ever wanted to be. I started working (volunteering) as a candy striper at William Newton Hospital when I was 14. Then I Chris Armstrong, RN became a nurse aide at age 16. After graduating from Winfield High School, I went to Fort Hays State University for my bachelor’s degree. I have never wished that I had done anything differently.” My why: “The scope of my job position changed during the height of the COVID pandemic. The MDS coordinator/case manager duties are typically very busy and require significant multi-tasking. But, when things slowed down due to empty beds, fewer appointments and an altered meeting schedule, that gave me time to give more attention to my duties. This included keeping things better updated, making more in depth reports and schedules and changing the way some things are done to make them more efficient.” YOTN - continued on page 3
Salute to our veterans Veterans Day originated in 1919 and occurs on November 11 every year in the United States in honor of the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” of 1918 that signaled the end of World War I, known as Armistice Day. The United States has a rich history of honoring all of those who have served our country in war or peace, those who came home and those who did not. The military men and women who serve and protect the United States, or have in the past, come from all walks of life; they are parents, children, grandparents, friends, neighbors and coworkers, and are an important part of our community. With our hearts filled with gratitude and eyes filled with tears, we thank all the brave men and women who sacrificed so much, so that we could have a better life and a country to call home. Thank you so much especially to these veterans who call Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor home. VETERANS - continued on page 2
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COVID-19 updates continue
Gene Brinkman, Army, Korean War Jennabelle Crow, Army, WWII
Get the latest updates on visitation status, ongoing safety measures and PMMA’s response to COVID-19 on your community website, ArkansasCityPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19. If there is a COVID-19 outbreak (positive COVID-19 test) at your community, your leadership team will contact employees, residents and their designated family representatives via telephone, email or mail with information about the outbreak and the recommendations of the local health department. ◆
Edward Gilliland, Marines, WWII Marsha Hephner, Army Jim Johnson, Air Force Lemenar Linnell, Navy, WWII Perry Pearman, Navy Larry Pike, National Guard Lowell Smith, Army, WWII Ralph Testerman, Navy Nolan Wineinger, Air Force, Korean War ◆
In the Spotlight: Resident Jennabelle Crow, Army nurse As we recognize both nurses and veterans this month, we want to give a special salute to resident Jennabelle Crow, who served as 2nd Lt. and worked as a nurse during World War II.
to the men injured in battle, Jennabelle and her friend signed up to be stationed overseas.
“I had just finished nurses training in 1944. There was a rumor that President Roosevelt was going to draft nurses, so my friend and I joined the Army Nurse Corp,” said Jennabelle.
“We were in the Philippines when the atom bomb was used. We arrived in Yokohoma, Japan, and a warehouse had been set up to care for the guys all over the area who were liberated from the Japanese prison camps. They were skin and bones and very happy to see us,” shared Jennabelle.
The two friends were sent to Camp Carson, Colo., for basic training before heading to Fort Warren, Wyo., where they were assigned to work at the Regional Hospital. After eye-opening experiences tending
During her 18 months of serving during the war, Jennabelle was awarded numerous medals for her dedication and tireless work caring for others who served. Thank you for your service, Jennabelle! ◆
Jennabelle Crow served as 2nd Lt. in the Army Nurse Corp during World War II.
Resident Jennabelle Crow
Community Matters 620-442-8700 ◆ Fax: 620-442-8224 1711 N. Fourth St. Arkansas City, KS 67005-1607 ArkansasCityPresbyterianManor.org
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is published monthly for residents and friends of Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: wstokes@PMMA.org Sarah Griggs, executive director Whitley Stokes, marketing director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.
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Tanya Baker, LPN Nurse since 2008 Why I became a nurse: “A movie inspired me to help change people’s lives. I saw how nursing helped the individual in the movie, and I thought I could do that.” My why: “Because not everyone has family. We are their caregivers, but we also become their family.”
Cammy Boone, RN
Tammy Case, RN
Nurse since 2000
Nurse since 1998
Why I became a nurse: “My Grandpa Ball had a stroke shortly after I graduated from high school. I was so grateful to the nurses for everything they did for him and I just knew that was something I wanted to do. I have the natural instincts to be a caregiver and desire to help people. I haven’t regretted one day of choosing the nursing profession!”
Why I became a nurse: “My grandmother was a nurse and I spent a lot of time with her while she was working. At that time, I realized I love the elderly, and I wanted to help them.”
My why: “I think it is more important now than ever to serve the elderly and take care of them. Now that visitation is restricted, I think they need us to help with My why: “Because I will always have their communication more now the desire to help people every day. than ever. We are a team, and I am Each day can be a new challenge to not letting them down.” learn something new.”
Tonya Baker, RN Nurse since 2003 Why I became a nurse: “I was working in manufacturing and was laid off for the second time. I had been a CNA for several years and had started my [pre-requisites] for nursing school. The lay-off became my motivation for continuing my education. At the same time, my dad had gotten sick. I wanted to gain more knowledge of what was going on with him and not have to rely on outside help.” My why: “I like to think I am good at what I do, and I make a difference for the residents and staff.”
Tammy Bratcher, LPN Nurse since 2015 Why I became a nurse: “I love to help people. I felt nursing was a rewarding career, where I could make a difference in someone’s life.” My why: “I love nursing. I love going to work and seeing my residents, who are my family. I love seeing how I make a difference in their lives.”
Nancy Crane, LPN Nurse since 1978 Why I became a nurse: “I became a nurse to help and care for individuals who are physically and mentally incapable of self-care to maintain as healthy of a life as possible.” My why: “To ensure others have a quality of life to the best of my YOTN - continued on page 4
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power and are free of COVID- 19 by protecting myself and protecting the residents from others.”
Kayla Crull, RN Nurse since 2013 Why I became a nurse: “I have always felt the need to help people even when I was a small child.” My why: “It is more important now than ever to be there for our residents. To continue to help them during this really hard time.”
Linda Elwood, RN
Colby Martin, RN
Nurse since 1981
Nurse since 2009
Why I became a nurse: “To provide care to persons who were hospitalized, injured, disabled, and dying. There are many areas of nursing that a nurse can specialize in to assist with meeting the needs of patients.”
Why I became a nurse: “To be able to help others and to have a career I loved that would allow me to provide for my family.”
My why: “Nursing continues to be my passion.”
My why: “If not me, and others like me, then who? Nurses are needed more than ever. We cannot quit when it gets tough.”
Kallee Mora, LPN Tanya Hayes, LPN Nurse since 2000 Cheva Delgado, LPN Nurse since 2018 Why I became a nurse: “I started working in dining services and discovered that I enjoyed visiting with the residents. Then I worked my way up to become a nurse.” My why: “I realize that our residents still need us, regardless of what is going on in the world. The residents still need our care and attention.”
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Why I became a nurse: “I have always been someone who likes to help others and nursing is the perfect way to do that. I love to see people smile when you do even the smallest thing for them.” My why: “Why do these things even have to happen? The world has enough horrible things going on already and now COVID, etc. It’s just very scary and sad.”
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Nurse since 2019 Why I became a nurse: “I have always enjoyed taking care of others. I love the feeling when I get to help others in need. Working in health care has taught me so much already and I can’t wait to learn more.” My why: “I try to stay calm, not only for myself but for my coworkers and residents. Stress does no good, it has a negative impact on yourself and others.” YOTN - continued on page 5
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them compassion.” My why: “Making sure I bring a smile and make them feel good, especially since their family and friends are unable to be with them at this time.”
My why: “I like to help people and I feel I am doing something important.”
Ryan Reimer, LPN Nurse since 2020
Miki Struthers, LPN
Why I became a nurse: “I care for my residents. I became a nurse because I wanted to be a bigger part of that, participate more in the care of my residents.”
Nurse since 2017
My why: “The COVID situation is par for the course. This is why we became nurses. Someone has to continue caring for the residents during a pandemic.”
Kelli Rommel, LPN Nurse since 2005 Why I became a nurse: “I had a desire to become a nurse since I was a young child. Desire to help. So, that was my goal in life.” My why: “My residents.”
Anna Robinson, RN Nurse since 2003
Sarah Standerfer, LPN
Why I became a nurse: “As a little girl of 6 or 7 years old, I used to visit residents while my mom attended in-services where she worked. That is where my love for the elderly started. I enjoy hearing their stories, caring for them, making them laugh, and showing
Nurse since 2013 Why I became a nurse: “I was initially going to school to be a history teacher. Then my grandmother became sick. While I was helping to take care of her, I realized the nursing field was what I really wanted to do.”
Why I became a nurse: “Like many others, family is everything to me. The love, support, and encouragement are a few of the vital things that keep us going. I am the middle child in a very close family with nine other siblings and our bond has stayed strong throughout our whole lives. My parents have instilled hard work, and did a fantastic job raising every one of us! My mother’s love and compassion is unmatchable, as well as endless. Sadly, with more family there is more to lose. The hardest thing I have dealt with is losing two brothers, and that taught me so many things about life. I have always wanted to be a nurse, for longer than I can remember. However, my family are the ones who have planted, watered, and helped grow the qualities and values that I carry with me today.” My why: “I am a nurse today to give my love and support and encouragement along with my knowledge to help others. I carry my hard work and compassion with me and always remember what it is YOTN - continued on page 6
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1711 N. Fourth St. Arkansas City, KS 67005-1607 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
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like on the other side—especially when dealing with the hard times. I chose this profession for a reason, and even a pandemic will not keep me from my duties as a nurse.”
Nurse since 2016
Nurse since 1982
Why I became a nurse: “I like taking care of people. I like to help people do the best they can.”
Why I became a nurse: “Because my mother was a med aide at Newkirk Nursing Home for 10 years, and I would go there and spend time with the residents and help her when I was growing up.”
My why: “Simply, my residents. I am here for the residents.”
My why: “To make a difference in the life of our residents and to provide a high standard of care. To keep our residents safe from COVID-19.” ◆
Nicole Swallow, LPN
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Lexie Tennant, RN
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