Havre, Montana – On Wednesday, May 16th, the Northern Montana Care Center (NMCC) held their annual awards ceremony. Coinciding with National Skilled Nursing Week (formerly known as National Nursing Home Week), the awards ceremony serves to recognize the excellent caring individuals that work at NMCC.
The “Max Kuhr Memorial Award” was first given out at NMCC in 2005. The late Ann Kuhr, a longtime Northern Montana Health Care Foundation supporter, gave a generous donation as a memorial to her late husband, Max E. Kuhr. In recognition of the excellent care given to Max by the staff at Northern Montana Care Center, this donation established the “Outstanding Caregiver for the Year Award” at Northern Montana Care Center.
Eligible candidates must demonstrate an outstanding attitude of caring and compassion towards residents of Northern Montana Care Center. The recipient is selected by a committee appointed by the Administrator of the Northern Montana Care Center, and the Award is presented in May during National Nursing Home Week of each year.
This year’s recipient is Brittany Stenglein, LPN. Brittany started at NMCC in January of 2016. Her co-workers reports that she is knowledgeable and willing to share her nursing skills with other staff members. She makes it a mission to improve the care and lives of each resident she works with.
“Her hard work ethic and willingness to pitch in are the qualities that sealed this award for Brittany” states Christen Obresley, VP of Community and Regulatory Services at NMHC, and Administrator of NMCC. “She also works hard to manage her schedule to ensure that she still has the time and energy to devote to her family as well.”
Brittany was awarded the Max Kuhr Award at the Awards Ceremony along with a cash gift that accompanies it.
To honor the memory of her mother, Tillie S. Patterson and the Northern Montana Health Care Foundation established the “Wallie Schmockel Memorial Caring Award” in January of 1998. Prior to that time the award was administered by the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd. Eligible candidates must demonstrate an outstanding attitude of caring, compassion, and dedication toward residents of Northern Montana Care Center. The recipient is selected by the administrator of the Northern Montana Care Center each year from those employees nominated by charge nurse and nursing supervisors.
This year Darlene Morehouse, CNA, received the Wallie Schmockel Award. Darlene is a dedicated Certified Nursing Assistant who over the years has evolved into being a trainer for new staff along with working her shift. Employed at NMHC since September of 1994, she has trained many of the past and current CNA staff.
“Darlene always has a smile on her face when she comes to work. She is willing to pitch in and work with her co-workers to ensure each resident is cared for and does it in a positive manner each time”, affirms Ms. Obresley. “Darlene’s positivity carries over to other staff and helps keep the shift fun and promotes good customer service.”
Darlene’s Award also included a cash gift.
A relatively new award was also given out at the Awards Ceremony. A “Rookie of the Year Award” was started last year as a way to recognize a NMCC nurse that “hits the ground running” and makes their presence known. This year’s recipient is Tiffani Horne, RN. Tiffani started with NMCC in July of 2016. She recently completed her Registered Nurse degree from the MSU-Northern Nursing program.
“Tiffani looks at each resident as an individual, and has brought new ways to enrich resident’s life”, declares Ms. Obresley. ”She is always seeking out opportunities to learn something new. She has been a great addition to our wound nurses with both technique and documentation. She is willing to help out other nurses managing difficult wounds.”
“It is safe to say that we look forward to keeping all three of these ladies on our staff here at NMCC for many years to come” concludes Ms. Obresley. “Part of our mission here at NMCC is to treat our residents as family and our facility as their home. Maintaining nursing staff like these three ladies is paramount to achieving our goal.”
Judy Solomon, Admissions Coordinator at NMCC was recently awarded the MHCA 2018 Commitment to Caring Award for Ancillary Service at the Spring Conference of the Montana Health Care Association. This plaque was presented again to Ms. Solomon at the Awards Ceremony that was attended by many of the NMCC residents. Cake, ice cream and lemonade were served as well, making the ceremony a festive occasion to mark National Skilled Nursing Care Week at NMCC