Our Unsung Heroes

_{Left to Right: Courtney Craig, Bob Speelman, and Nicole Peters}

_{January 14, 2020}

NOTE: This was taken from the blog of Foundations Health Solutions leader Bob Speelman. Each week Bob works at one of our Foundations Health facilities in different roles. Whether working in housekeeping or as a nursing assistant, he sees firsthand how we embody the vision of our founder and nursing home developer, Brian Colleran, to be "A Culture of Care."

I spent the day with Nicole Peters, an absolutely amazing STNA at Huntington Woods, our 5 Star, 82-bed facility in Westlake. Courtney Craig is the administrator there and is a tremendous leader. She is the one that suggested I work alongside of Nicole, and I couldn't have been more pleased.

Nicole is 37, has been an STNA for 12 years. She has been at Huntington Court for six of those twelve years. All of her time has been spent taking care of residents on Huntington Court's Memory Care Unit. Nicole has a passion for working with Alzheimer's and dementia residents.  

Seeing Nicole interact with the residents was heartwarming. The way she spoke to them, laughed with them, hugged them, and cared for them. All of it was done with such joy and love. Nicole knew every resident on the unit and told me a little about each one throughout the day as we cared for them.

As the day went by and I got to know Nicole, I thought to myself this is precisely why I do this: to meet Nicole's out there. The caregivers within Foundations that I otherwise may never have gotten to meet and get to know. They are the heart and soul of our company, the core of our Culture of Care. They go through their days at our facilities across the state, quietly providing love and care to our residents. They are our unsung heroes. The acts of kindness and how they give of themselves every day - many of us know nothing about their sacrifices.

"I knew, really knew, I would never die with my song unsung."

Gary Russo, Don't Die with Your Song Unsung

Let's sing their song. Let's give them some love today. If you're reading this and someone comes to your mind, give them a shout out. Give them a hug. Tell them that you notice their sacrifice and commitment. Tell them that they inspire you to be better and try harder and give more of themselves.

Nicole – You made an impact on me and because of that I will try harder to give more of myself to others and follow your example.

With great love and respect for our unsung heroes!

Bob Speelman, STNA

Each week, Bob Speelman visits a Foundations Health Solutions nursing home. He works alongside a variety of departments to ensure Foundations Health is excelling in the vision of founder Brian Colleran's "Culture of Care." Foundations Health continues to practice the principles nursing home developer Brian Colleran instilled, such as resident and family satisfaction, positive employee culture, and investment in the community.

Bob's Blog