Nursing Home Owner Works as Nursing Assistant at Florentine Gardens
From L to R: Scott Toney, Trey Iverson, Amanda Hunt, Bob Speelman
January 25, 2018
Note: The following story was taken from the blog of Bob Speelman, owner of Atlas Healthcare Solutions, and Florentine Gardens. Each week, Bob works at one of his nursing homes as a nursing assistant in order to better learn his company's motto-- "Supporting Superior Care."This week I had the opportunity to visit Florentine Gardens, our 80 bed facility in Loveland, Ohio. Florentine is led by administrator Trey Iverson, and Scott Toney, the Director of Nursing. Trey and Scott have an amazing team of caregivers, with which I had the privilege of spending some time. One of those exceptional caregivers was Amanda Hunt, a state tested nursing assistant.
Amanda is 28 years old and has been an STNA for 8 years. Amanda’s life took an unexpected turn at a bowling alley where she almost ran someone over when she was parking. When she entered the bowling alley, she realized she was meeting up with the same group of friends as the guy in the parking lot. Uh oh! Apparently, he got over it though, because they are happily married and expecting their first child this year!
Working with Amanda was a wonderful experience. Her care and compassion for our residents was heartwarming to see. She, like so many other great caregivers I’ve met on my journey, knew her residents’ routines, and likes and dislikes, down to a T. While providing care she would talk to the residents as a daughter or granddaughter would speak to their elder.
When I asked Amanda why she got into healthcare, and who inspired her, she answered, “My Dad,” without hesitating. When her and her brother were young, their stepfather adopted them. Years after her mom and stepfather split up, he remained in her life and took care of her. To Amanda, he’s simply “my dad.” He’s the reason she got into healthcare. See, he was once a paramedic, and then became a nurse. He works at the Bethesda ER caring for people in extreme situations. It was his influence that made her want to dedicate her life to caring for others as well.
What an amazing story.
What an amazing person.
I asked Amanda his name because I wanted to thank him for raising such an incredible person that cares for our residents.
Dear Rob Kerr,
I had the opportunity yesterday to work alongside your daughter. She is an amazing person and caregiver. Your example as a father made all the difference in her life and we are just one of the benefactors of that. I just wanted to take a moment and say thank-you.
“Beautiful is the man who leaves a legacy of shared love and life. It is he who transfers meaning, assigns significance and conveys in his loving touch the fine art and gentle shaping of a life. This man shall be called, Father.”
- Stella Payton.
I have not met Rob Kerr, but in a sense I have. His mark has rubbed off on Amanda and I have a sense of the person he is. Thank you, Amanda, for allowing me to work along side you yesterday. Thank you for sharing your story. We are truly blessed as a company to have a care giver like you!
Bob Speelman, STNA
Bob's Blog