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Attendance Awards Plentiful at Sugar Creek Rest

Once again Sugar Creek Rest and Meadow Lake Manor are recognizing employees for a job well done. As simple as it sounds, the first requirement to doing a job well is showing up to do it.  With snow covered roads, cold and flu season, and a multitude of commitments at home, most people find this more challenging than it may sound at first. Wednesday evening, at a special dinner held at Teresa's Royal Allegheny Restaurant in Kittanning, Phil Tack, Administrator of Sugar Creek Rest presented thirteen employees with perfect attendance awards. Two of the thirteen have accomplished three consecutive years of perfect attendance and still another seven are celebrating back to back years. This year, all recipients received $50.00, a commemorative pin, a certificate and an hooded sweatshirt embroidered with the Sugar Creek Rest logo. 

Phil and Ken Tack, brothers and founders of the Quality Life Services family of companies both admit to holding a special place in their hearts for Sugar Creek Rest and it's employees. "This was where it all started," stated Ken Tack, CEO of Quality Life Services "I'm touched to see that so many of our employees have the same dedication and commitment to this facility and it's residents that we've always felt." Phil Tack is equally proud, "We have a great team here. The jobs our people do everyday are rewarding but they can be tough too. I know they get tired both physically and emotionally but I can always count on them to put the resident's needs first.  I'm so proud of all of them."

Team Approach Makes Chicora Medical Center an Employer of Choice

Although most jobs provide a paycheck, very few provide the opportunities available at Chicora Medical Center. Some of those opportunities are practical, like generous wages and benefits, tuition reimbursement, employee events, career ladders and more. Still others can't be found on a pay stub or in a personnel policy book. The team atmosphere at Chicora Medical Center is just one of the things that sets this employer apart from so many others. Director of Nursing, Daryll Datz, and Assistant Director of Nursing, Barbara Boyd, have established an environment that allows care teams to work together to create the best possible situation for both the employees and the residents. 

Daryll has been the Director of Nursing at Chicora Medical Center for the past two years while Barbara is a relative newcomer. Both have extensive experience in long term care and a wealth of knowledge and expertise from which to draw. Add to the mix, Judy Howes, the Corporate Nurse Educator, and you have a dynamic trio that nurtures and retains all levels of nursing staff. One way of doing this is by offering nursing assistance education and testing to qualified employees. While many folks must pay hundreds of dollars out-of-pocket to become Certified Nursing Assistants (C.N.A.s), Chicora Medical Center offers that opportunity at no cost. In addition, they continue to pay an hourly wage for time spent in the classroom. From highschool students to those approaching retirement years, many have found that becoming a C.N.A. is a great way to earn a good wage, take a step in their nursing career, gain experience in healthcare and, best of all, truly make a difference in the lives of others.

Although one an avid Nascar fan, another an energetic fitness buff, and another a home restoration enthusiast; Barbara, Judy and Daryll have one important thing in common; they all enjoy the successes of their coworkers.  What enriches the lives of these three women and the facility they serve are things like seeing a care aide master a skill, a new nurse pass her boards, or a C.N.A. pursue a long desired degree. This has created an atmosphere that is both nurturing and encouraging to the entire team and provides employees with much more than jobs. "I like to think we aren't just offering people jobs here," said Steven Tack, Administrator at Chicora Medical Center, "I want people to see this as a place to grow. We've had people start here at just about every level you can think of. Some are content to stay at one position for decades, but I want to make sure we offer an environment where you can build a career to any level you choose." 

Intern Turns Social Worker at Chicora Medical Center

Jenna Wood of Butler was originally hired at Chicora Medical Center as an intern, a job designed to fill the spare hours between her classes at Slippery Rock University while giving her work experience in her major.  Seven months later, Wood is no longer an intern. She is now the Social Worker at Chicora Medical Center and generating rave reviews for her performance.

Miss Wood has always had jobs working with people. A gymnastics and dance instructor for four years followed by experience as both a nursing assistant and a care aide at a nursing home and assisted living home respectively, she is no stranger to long hours and hard work with plenty of rewards. Jenna has also worked as a Medi Hospice respite care and bereavement volunteer. She has earned a spot as the captain of Geneva's College Dance Team and served as a Sunday School Teacher.

A graduate of Butler High School, Jenna spent two years at Geneva College from which she transferred to Slippery Rock University where she'll complete her bachelor's degree this spring. Upon college graduation she plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh to earn her master's degree. She has traveled on eight mission trips, five within the United States and three others abroad. 

When asked what she hopes to achieve as the facility's Social Worker Jenna replied, "I want to allow social services to have a greater involvement in resident interaction. I also wish to act on behalf of residents in an advocacy role and bridge concerns between staff and residents." When asked his opinion of Miss Wood in this role, Steve Tack, Administrator at Chicora Medical Center responded, "If her work as an intern is any indication of her capabilities as our social worker, I am very optimistic about the effects it will have on our residents, their families and our staff."

Michaels is New Countryside Social Worker

Countryside, Mercer's skilled and personal Care facility on Lamor Road has announced that Tara Michaels has recently assumed the position of Social Worker/ Admissions Director. A resident of Grove City, PA, Michaels boasts a B.A. in Social Services from Youngstown State University and a Social Worker Master's Degree from The University of Akron. She is currently pursuing another degree from the Youngstown College of Massotherapy and anticipates graduating March 2007.

Michaels brings a wealth of experience to her position from previous social worker positions at Liberty Dialysis, Forum Health-Northside Hospital, Campbell City Schools, Ivy Woods Manor and Specialized Alternative for Family and Youth. Her goals for her new position at Countryside reflect her history of serving others. "I plan to assist residents and families with the admissions and discharge process and act as an advocate for residents" says Michaels. "I want to address their personal issues and concerns as they arise and help residents obtain their highest level of psychosocial well-being." 

Daughter of Donald and Paula Michaels of Campbell, OH, Tara is currently engaged to Jim Pittock.

Times Have Changed, Many Faces Remain the Same

It has been a big year for Chicora Medical Center who celebrated their 40^th year of providing quality healthcare in Butler County. Throughout the years many have participated or witnessed as Chicora Medical Center hosted countless community festivities, experienced continued growth, lead the way with exciting innovation and developed valuable programs.  However, few have truly experienced it quite the way six women have. 

Debbie Collier, Shirley Young, Eleanor Ekis, Dolly Pistorious, Cindy Crispin , Deb Smith and Karen Buzzard have each devoted twenty or more years to the compassionate care provided at Chicora Medical Center. Debbie Collier is the leader of the longevity crew. She has been helping to prepare tasty meals for residents since July, 1978. Something about that kitchen has captivated more than just Ms. Collier; Young (1979), Pistorious (1983), Crispin (1984) and Buzzard (1986) have worked tirelessly to prepare and serve thousands of breakfasts, lunches and dinners for a combined 120 years. Smith (1985) and Ekis (1979) have filled roles in the office and in nursing. 

Each woman was asked to submit their most memorable moments, most embarrassing memories and funniest stories. The results made for plenty of laughs when a "Who Said It?" contest broke out during a staff anniversary celebration. From a box of chicken falling on one woman's head to slipping on ice while carrying a dozen eggs; the stories were unleashed. From the funny to the touching, each story held a piece of the long and loving history Chicora Medical Center has shared with it's employees and it's residents. "I love the residents and I enjoy my coworkers. We always get our work done, but have a good time doing it," said one 20 plus year veteran. "I love my job, always did and I love helping and caring for the elderly. It's such a rewarding job…" said another.  

Steven Tack, Administrator of the facility, presented each woman with an embroidered throw noting that, although they've each been there much longer than he, he's thankful to have each and every one of them as part of the Chicora Medical Center team. "This place would not be the same without these women," said Tack, "They remember it's past and they care about it's future. I value what each of them contributes. People don't stick with one job for decades anymore. Most people have worked in many places throughout their careers. After hearing these ladies talk about their many years here you realize that it wasn't all about the money or the benefits. They stayed because they knew that every day they were making a difference. I've tried to apply that to my own life."

Sugar Creek Staff Celebrated

The Sugar Creek Rest Employee Banquet has become a tradition over the many years the facility has provided care and careers to the residents of Worthington and surrounding communities. Each year, the banquet honors the men and women who devote their time, energy and spirit to those they care for each day. Attendance awards are given and educational achievements are highlighted, but the highlight of the evening comes when the staff gets to honor their own. Each year, supervisors nominate the individuals in their departments who have truly been standouts. Those nominees are then posted in the facility and employees are encouraged to vote for their choice of Employee of the Year. This year's recipients were Matthew Wilson of Karns City, PA and Danielle Mortimer of Rimersburg, PA. Other evening highlights include the Team Spirit Awards, Team Service Awards and honoring volunteers and retirees. Entertainment followed the awards and dinner, but the food is not only enjoyed at the banquet, a small feast is also made available to those who were busy working back at the facility. 

McGallis Named Director of Nursing at Sugar Creek Rest

Carmen McGallis of Chicora, PA has recently been named Director of Nursing at Sugar Creek Rest. Carmen began her career at Sugar Creek Rest in 1980 as a nurse's aide, now, 26 years later; she stands as the head of the nursing department. Throughout her career, McGallis consistently proved worthy of promotion.  She continued to work while attending school to get her practical nursing license and later became a registered nurse. All the while, Carmen served as a devoted wife to Ron and mother to Mandy and Megan. A graduate of Butler High School, BC3, and Florida College of Medical and Dental Assisting, Carmen's no stranger to the classroom. She has earned multiple certifications and credentials over the years and has taken every opportunity to advance her career. "Carmen has been such a great asset to this facility. The residents and staff will all benefit from her knowledge and experience," stated Phil Tack, Administrator, "We believe strongly in building career ladders that allow people to grow in our organization. I'm so glad to see Carmen reach this goal that she worked so hard to achieve."

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