Good Samaritan Society

The South Dakota Department of Human Services recently awarded $2 million in grants for technology and equipment in the long-term care industry. The grants will fund projects including food preparation and storage equipment; video monitoring and sensory technology systems which can monitor patients remotely; telecommunications equipment; and diagnostic and interactive technology. The projects are aimed at helping long-term care centers create efficiencies to reduce the need for workers, as the long-term care industry continues to struggle with staffing more than other health care fields since the pandemic. Good Samaritan Society chief operating officer Aimee Middleton said, "We're a large organization that operates in different states and we don't see this type of investment everywhere. This is historic and appreciated." Read more: https://san.fo/4cYD6CA

The Good Samaritan Society recently hosted a job fair in Sioux Falls, SD at the Great Plains Zoo. Representatives from the organization were there to answer questions about what it's like to work for the Society and offered information about available jobs. Alecia O’Neill, Society administrator said, "We have nursing positions, we have CNAs, med aides, we also have housekeeping and laundry positions as well that are open within. We have four communities here in Sioux Falls, and then it’s Canton, Canistota and Dell Rapids as well that are all represented here too." Watch more from the event: https://san.fo/4dfIMaR Explore careers at the Good Samaritan Society: https://san.fo/3SToXih

Tiffany Kuznia was the first to work for the Good Samaritan Society and recruited her dad and daughter to join her. All of them love interacting with residents and working together. The three generations make it one big family experience at the Society’s Heritage Grove location in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. Read more about this family: https://san.fo/3A37Ovu

Work has officially begun at the corner of Veterans Parkway and 57th Street in Sioux Falls, SD for the Good Samaritan Society's newest senior living community, Founder's Crossing! The full continuum of care campus will expand access to high quality care close to home by fulfilling a growing need for senior services on the east side of Sioux Falls. About the new location, Nate Schema, Good Samaritan Society president and CEO said, "Good Samaritan Society – Founder’s Crossing will offer a new level of comfort and convenience that Sioux Falls has never seen before." Learn more: https://san.fo/4cZzLmD

After raising her twin girls to school age, Taelor Wimmer decided to take a chance and dive back into a nursing career. When Taelor interviewed for a position with Good Samaritan Society – Home Care in Indianola, Iowa, Society administrative staff manager Staci Good said, "I don't know how we got her, but we won the lottery when she came in that day." Taking her role as a home health caregiver seriously for more than a year, the licensed practical nurse spends her day on the road traveling dozens of miles to clients. Spending time with people where they live, Taelor prioritizes building relationships with those she serves. This past winter, one of Taelor's clients was snowed in after several days of severe snowfall. She was worried the client wouldn't get any personal care or nursing care services that week. Taelor took it upon herself, with the help of her husband's truck and plow blade, to clear the client's road and driveway. These efforts are just part of the reason why Taelor is being named the Good Samaritan Society’s National Ever Forward Caregiver Champion. Society administrator Kara Cline says, "She’s an everyday genuine person and our superhero in disguise. We coined her as Wonder Wimmer." A former nursing home assistant director of nursing as well, Taelor is hoping to grow in the nursing field moving forward. Teammates are encouraging her to pursue her RN. About her role as a home health caregiver, Taelor puts it this way: "I want you to feel comfortable in your home. So, if I can make you feel comfortable with me, make you feel like you’re part of my family, that’s what I want." Read the full story: https://san.fo/4cTyDB5

Pat Helgeland, guest services representative at the Good Samaritan Society National Campus, was recently honored with a Guardian Angel award! Pat was nominated by Shelly Koch, regional vice president of home-based services at the Society. In her donor statement, Shelly noted, "Pat is truly deserving of the Guardian Angel award. Her friendly demeanor and warm greetings create a welcoming atmosphere for guests. She goes above and beyond to ensure the safety of the building and also works hard to find amazing food trucks and organizes vendor fairs. Pat's presence is like a ray of light, and visiting National Campus feels like coming home to family." Congratulations, Pat!

"At Good Samaritan [Society] our work is more than just a job, it's a calling." Good Samaritan Society president and CEO Nate Schema discusses the "why" behind caring for residents and how the Society is able to deliver quality care close to home in this episode of the Reimagining Rural Health podcast. Listen to the full episode at: https://san.fo/42k9hb0

Leanne Atwood, RN, arrived at Good Samaritan Society – Albion 30 years ago after spending 15 years as a nurse in Omaha. She had planned to work at the location for one year, but found herself there 30 years later because of her love for her work and the residents at the community. Just a few of the words coworkers and residents use to describe Leanne include: humble, kind, caring, gentle, gracious and a servant leader. Society long-term care nurse Nicole Rutten, RN, also says, "People joke a lot that she’s kind of an old school nurse. A lot of people nowadays learn about the residents and their care sitting at a computer. Leanne isn’t like that. She will go in; she’ll close the door and she will spend hours with them sitting down talking to them and just getting to know all the little things that make them tick." After decades of putting residents first, Leanne is being honored as this year's National Ever Forward Leader Champion. Not someone who enjoys the spotlight, Leanne being surprised with the award in front of family, residents and peers brought on a lot of emotion. Leanne's mom, Rita Schrage, also recently moved into the community as a resident and was proud to bear witness to her daughter's accomplishment. About receiving the honor, Leanne said, "It was a big surprise. I did start to cry. Very humbled by it. I don’t see myself in that light. I just think we all have a job here and everybody who works here and in long-term care is worthy of that nomination. They were happy tears. It was a good moment." Read the full story at: https://bit.ly/3WmsTK3

Ali Hofer, vice president of the Good Samaritan Foundation, recently inducted Greg Krzmarzick, vice president of operations for the Good Samaritan Society into the Foundation's Honors Society for his lifetime level of giving! Congratulations, Greg, and thank you for your continued support!

"When you practice mindfulness meditation regularly, many parts in your brain are activated. That's very helpful to improve emotion regulation and help stress relief, and also help improve memory," says Yufang Tu, volunteer at Good Samaritan Society – Fargo and doctoral student in human development at North Dakota State University. Yufang brings a workshop once a month to the residents teaching them about mindfulness, self-massage and breathing exercises called Qigong. Kimberly Baril, activities supervisor at the community says she was intrigued by Yufang's pitch for the volunteer workshop and has been impressed after watching how the residents respond to their instructor and the sessions: "Her smile is contagious. She's got a laugh that you can hear from miles away. And anytime you're walking by one of those sessions, you're going hear them laughing together, you're going to see their smiles and it's just a joy being with her and the residents. It's just a lot of fun." Read the full story at: https://bit.ly/4d1OQE0