Teaching a Lesson Without Saying a Word

<sub>L to R: Shannon Elshaw and Katrina Barnes

January 11, 2021</sub>
NOTE: This was taken from the blog of Foundations Health Solutions leader Bob Speelman. Bob works closely and frequently communicates with our Foundations Health facilities. It is so inspiring to see how each care team embodies the vision of our founder and nursing home developer, Brian Colleran, to be "A Culture of Care."

My STNA journey this week took me to Heather Hill Care Communities, our 142 bed Center in Chardon, Ohio. I had the honor of working with several incredible caregivers.

I was reunited with Katrina Barnes, an absolutely amazing Nursing Assistant I had the honor of working with several years ago. She and the nurse on the Rehabilitation Unit, Shannon Elshaw, worked incredibly well together to make sure their residents were well taken care of and got everything they needed for a speedy recovery.

Katrina and Shannon share a mutual respect for one another and a passion for caring for their residents. They both take ownership of the Rehabilitation Unit and are committed to ensuring they provide the best care and customer service to their residents.


_{Madison Gaines - Heather Hill STNA}

Halfway through the day, I went over to the Respiratory Unit and worked with Madison Gaines, a Nursing Assistant with ten years of experience. Madison was loving, caring and very sweet to her residents. The bond she had with them was immediately evident. As we worked together, Madison told me about her Mom being a Nurse and her stepdad being a Nurse, and with that influence, along with helping to take care of her Grandfather, caregiving was a natural calling.

As my day with Katrina, Shannon and Madison came to an end, and as I drove back to the hotel, I began to reflect on the day. The love and caring that I witnessed from these three amazing caregivers made me so proud. They loved their residents. I saw it in the smile, heard it in their voice and witnessed it in their touch as they provided care.

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”

— Leo Buscaglia

Katrina, Shannon and Madison – Thanks for the lesson you taught me today through your actions on how to be a better caregiver and how to make a difference.

Bob Speelman, STNA