By Cheryl “cj” Jackson, Marketing Director, Good Samaritan Society – Hot Spring Village
The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society’s vision statement is: To create an environment where people are loved, valued and at peace. Notice it doesn’t say staff, or residents, or guests, or family members — it says people.
A key element of the Good Samaritan Society’s philosophy focuses on building relationships. We work hard to build relationships and create a loving environment here in Hot Springs Village, but I’ve often wondered how that philosophy plays out at a corporate level.
I recently had the opportunity to find out when I traveled to our National Campus in Sioux Falls, S.D., for a Senior Living Summit. I was excited about attending this event, because I’ve built some wonderful e-mail relationships with people working at National Campus.
cj Jackson and Kristy Anderson
Possibly the closest relationship I’ve developed is with Kristy Anderson, our communications coordinator. We’ve worked together for about two years to produce our center newsletter and Web site. I was determined to meet her face-to-face. When she saw me, she hugged me as though we were sisters — you know, one of those “from the bottom of your heart” hugs. Not the, “Hi, nice to see ya” kind of hug. Naturally, I wanted to “share” Kristy with my group. When we came back later that day, several of her co-workers greeted us, saying they felt they already knew me through Kristy’s stories.
The team from the graphics department was at the next table. All I am is a name on a production request to them, but they greeted me just as warmly. Later in the week, my former marketing consultant, Shar Christiansen, surprised me with a small gift. I was so impressed that Shar took the time to let me know she still thinks of me, even though we haven’t worked together in more than a year. Any of these individual acts of kindness could be defined as just good customer service, but when I bundle them all together and consider the genuine warmth and hospitality we experienced from everyone we encountered, I was impressed!
It is said we shouldn’t just talk the talk, but should walk the walk. I learned that people working in a corporate environment can still be Christians and walk the walk of loving and valuing others. May we all strive to do the same.
Click here to read the entire article by cj in the Good Samaritan Society – Hot Springs Village newsletter.
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We're looking for people who want to be part of a team of caregivers. And caregivers aren't always just certified nursing assistants and registered nurses. They work in dietary, maintenance, administration... every aspect of our organization. Caregivers work to fulfill the most basic of human needs, the need to feel loved, valued and at peace with oneself. And there’s no better way to accomplish that than experiencing God’s love firsthand through the care of another person.
As a Good Samaritan Society staff member, you will work with some of the finest health-care workers in the long-term care industry and do meaningful work caring for people who need your help and support.
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Through a unique combination of video, online, self-study, mentoring and hands-on training and experience, employees have an opportunity to continue to grow in their careers with the Good Samaritan Society. Employees may select career training options in clinical and non-clinical tracks. These options may begin with basic nursing assistant training and include advanced nursing assistant training, licensed practical nursing and registered nursing degree programs, management certificate programs (for nurses and other managers) as well as advanced degrees in healthcare management and nursing. For more information about learning opportunities available to Good Samaritan Society employees, visit www.careerlattice.org.
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