At Homes At Homes
Open Enrollment Period:
November 11 – 25, 2024
OPEN ENROLLMENT
Nov. 11–25, 2024
Open enrollment is an opportunity for all benefit-eligible employees (scheduled 30+ hours per week and those eligible under ACA due the number of hours worked in 2024). This is the one time of year when you can make changes to your benefits, unless you experience a qualified event.
Check out the 2025 Benefit Guide with details about the benefits available to you, learn about key changes, review rate information and evaluate your coverage options. The benefit guides will be emailed to all benefit-eligible employees. They can also be found on PlanSource at benefits.plansource.com or from your local HR representative.
Starting November 11, you can visit the PlanSource benefits portal to make any changes for the upcoming year. Contact your community’s HR department for more information.
Mountain Vista’s Internship & Mentor Program Provides Experience & Introduction to the Field
Mountain Vista Senior Living has launched an innovative Internship Program aimed at providing aspiring healthcare professionals with hands- on experience in long term care. In partnership with local Workforce Centers, Public Schools and other community organizations, Mountain Vista hosts interns in a variety of work areas. Interns may be adults looking for work-based learning opportunities to shift industries, or high school students looking to explore the world of healthcare in various departments. The Internship Program spans approximately 3 months. Participants are offered feedback on their job performance, and they participate in project-based learning opportunities. Interns that are pursuing their CNA are provided with a CNA Mentor to guide their learning.
Our CNA Mentors are a key component to the success of this program. Mentors undergo
foundational and ongoing training for skills in mentorship. This includes skills like communication, constructive feedback, critical thinking and customer service. The mentor-mentee relationship fosters a collaborative learning environment. Interns are contributing members of the team, and they are encouraged to ask questions, seek advice and build confidence in their own skills. Our CNA Mentors also support the integration of new staff at Mountain Vista. They welcome new CNAs, assist in their orientation and serve as a source of support. Their efforts cultivate a positive work culture, staff retention and continuity of care for our residents. Mountain Vista is proud of our CNA Mentors’ contributions to the community and their dedication to excellence in quality care.
Mountain Vista’s Claudia Rivera Wins Colorado Healthcare Association Scholarship
Mountain Vista and ABHM are excited to celebrate dedicated team member Claudia Rivera for her outstanding service, commitment to resident care, and pursuit of continued education in nursing. Claudia joined Mountain Vista Senior Living as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in 2012. Mountain Vista is a member of American Baptist Homes of the Midwest family of communities, located in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.
Claudia has an innate empathy and compassion that makes a career in health care ideal for her.
Claudia states, “managing my mother’s healthcare needs taught me the invaluable lesson of being present for others in their time of need.” She continues, “with more than decade of experience at Mountain Vista, my primary focus is the well-being and satisfaction of my residents.” Over the past 12 years, Claudia
has exemplified the compassion, dedication, and excellence that are at the heart of our mission.
Claudia’s desire to continue to develop additional career skills is supported by Mountain Vista where she serves as a CNA mentor. The training she received through Mountain Vista’s mentorship program included communication skills such as constructive feedback, active listening and coaching, as well as customer service and critical thinking skills. These skills serve Claudia her role as mentor, where she is a guide for staff members; teaching best practices, always willing to answer questions and leading by example.
Seeing Claudia’s involvement in the Mountain Vista CNA mentor program, it came as no surprise that she wanted to
continue her professional development by becoming a nurse. Claudia has a deep desire to give residents a sense of comfort and security each day, letting them know they will be well cared for. A Mountain Vista resident Claudia cares for said, “Claudia has a kind demeanor, and I am relieved she is here on the days she is working because she does it right. She establishes a routine with each resident and follows it daily. Residents can rely on her and she takes responsibility for doing a great job. She also has a sense of humor and a great personality.” Claudia thrives on the relationships she develops with residents as she sees their happiness and satisfaction with their care as a way for her to grow.
ABHM and Mountain Vista congratulate Claudia for her continued dedication to seniors and receiving Arlene Miles Scholarship awarded by Colorado Healthcare Association, in recognition of contributions to the care of seniors. We are proud to support Claudia in her healthcare career.
Claudia Rivera displays the Colorado Healthcare Association Scholarship certificate she earned.
Honoring Employee Longevity
This month, we honor our dedicated team members whose years of service exemplify commitment to quality care and compassion in senior living and services for those with intellectual disabilities and brain injuries. Their experience and unwavering dedication inspire us daily, enhancing the lives of residents and members, and shaping our supportive communities. Please join us in recognizing our team members!
40+ Years of Service
Cheri Grossoehme (MC)
Marilyn Claassen (TC)
John Christoph (MC)
Nancy Olsen (CS)
Colleen Andersen (EC)
Katherine Goede (EC)
Kathleen Sporrer (EC)
Beth Rheinfels (TC)
Jody Johnson (TC)
Sheila May (EC)
Christina Dresser
Cheri Grossoehme (49 Years)
Maple Crest, Omaha NE Dir.of Environ. Services
On January 13th, 2025, Cheri will celebrate 50 years with Maple Crest Health Center in Omaha, NE. Cheri recalls her first day at Maple Crest. “Before my interview I walked around the community to see what it was like. I remember seeing two gentlemen who had dementia. I watched how these two men were cared for and how the staff interacted with the other residents, and I knew this was a special place. Later that day I was hired and never looked back.”
What keeps Cheri at Maple Crest? “I believe in the mission of caring for others. My career at Maple Crest has given me a chance to fulfill that desire.”
30+ Years of Service
Traci Bennett (TC)
Scott Stevens (CS)
Cheryl Freeman (TC)
Vickie Morrison (MC)
Kandy McDaniel (MV)
Sandy Foughty (MV)
Shelda Cole (MC)
Dawn Toot (TC)
Traci Bennett (38 Years)
25+ Years of Service
Ramona Sandoval (MV)
Cecilia Williams (MC)
Scott Staude (TO)
Valerie Coats (MV)
Tami Campbell (EC)
Laura Kelchen (CS)
Shannon Farrell (TO)
Gregory Etzel (CS)
Laura Acosta (MV)
Thorne Crest, Albert Lea, MN • CNA/TMA
Following graduation Traci began working at a nursing home in Albert Lea, MN. Ultimately, she made her way to Thorne Crest where she has spent the last 38 years. During that time she has seen many changes, but some things remain constant, her connection with the residents and working with team members she respects.
Scott Staude (28 Years)
Tudor Oaks, Muskego, WI
Restorative Coordinator
As a high school student Scott started working at Tudor Oaks in dining services. Over the years he worked in several different areas of the community before deciding on a career in Tudor Oaks Health Center in the restorative department. Scott enjoys helping residents maintain and improve their physical health. When asked why he stays at Tudor Oaks he states, “I enjoy what I do, and working with good people makes it easy to come to work.”
Traci says she enjoys building relationships with residents and hearing their stories. “I like working with seniors, learning about their lives, and showing them I care.”
Gary Schrupp (Home Office)
Maria Wolf (MV)
Danuta Stoll (MV)
Lisa Bengford (EC)
Julieanne Gullickson (TC)
Dawn Patten (TR)
Janet Marbach (CS)
Lakisha Perry (MC)
20+ Years of Service
Kim Pruitt (MC)
Rocky Cleveland (MC)
Bouaphanh Panyathong (MC)
Edwin Lind (MV)
Thuy Tran (TR)
Maricela Aguilar (MV)
Daniel Busall (TC)
Robert Swigert (CS)
Andrea Blatnik (Home Office)
Savannah Staude (TO)
Steven Dekker (TO)
Lyn Ahrenholtz (EC)
Monica Tran (TR)
Carmen Acuna (MV)
Thuy Tran (24 Years)
Trail Ridge, Sioux Falls, SD Dietary Services
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Twenty-four years ago, Teri wanted to work at that “beautiful building” as she calls it, so she started at Trail Ridge as a dish washer. Recognized for her hard work and dedication, Teri was promoted to a server position, while continuing to support a number of areas within dining services. Today, as a certified pastry chef herself, Teri plays a key role in maintaining the high standards established by Trail Ridge dining services team.
About Trail Ridge Teri said, “I was welcomed here and treated so well by the residents and staff that there is no other place I wanted to work. Even as I approach retirement age I want to stay and work at least part time.”
Brenda Velez (TO)
Augustina Donkor (FP)
Ngan Lee (TR)
Thomas Tyler (Home Office)
Kelli Tolliver (EC)
Genereuse
Ntirampeba (FP)
Shannon Stevenson (FP)
Deborah Fisher (MV)
Deborah Ubom (CS)
Brenda Cooper (EC)
Dawn Tripp (CS)
Charles Lamson (TO)
Lisa Henze (CS)
Maria Perez (MV)
Directory of Community Abbreviations:
CS = Crest Services (Iowa & Minnesota)
EC = Elm Crest Senior Living Community (Harlan, IA)
FP = Health Center at Franklin Park (Denver, CO)
MC = Maple Crest Health Center (Omaha, NE)
MV = Mountain Vista Senior Living Community (Wheat Ridge, CO)
TC = Thorne Crest Senior Living Community (Albert Lea, MN)
TR = Trail Ridge Senior Living Community (Sioux Falls, SD)
TO = Tudor Oaks Senior Living Community (Muskego, WI)
Announcing the ABHM Community Winners
for HIGHEST Align Employee
Satisfaction Survey participation results!
1st Place:
Trail Ridge Senior Living Community, Sioux Falls, SD (79% participation)
2nd Place:
Health Center at Franklin Park, Denver, CO (72% participation)
This year’s theme:
“Making a Difference. It’s What I Do.”
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About
At Homes At Homes
The official employee newsletter of American Baptist Homes of the Midwest
ABHM’s Mission:
“At Homes” is ABHM –American Baptist Homes of the Midwest’s quarterly employee newsletter, created to keep you up to date on all employee news, programs, and happenings.
To create healthy Christian communities that empower older adults, families and people with disabilities. We provide choices for housing, services and technology that enrich body, mind and spirit.