I Just Love It!
From L to R: Debbie Corathers, Bob Speelman, Sheri Duval
July 24, 2018
I spent the day at Arlington Care Center in Newark, Ohio. Arlington is new to the Atlas Healthcare Solutions family of facilities but has a long history of providing outstanding care. The administrator, Sheri Duval, is really doing an outstanding job at Arlington. One of the secrets to Arlington’s success is the longevity of the staff. For example, yesteray I got to work with Debbie Corathers, who started as a Nursing Assistant in 1986 at Arlington. Debbie has been a faithful nursing assistant at Arlington Care Center for 32 years!! At 60 years of age, I was in the presence of Caregiving Royalty and I soaked in every minute of it.
Debbie embodied everything good about our industry. Her love and compassion for her residents was inspiring! Her fellow staff members sang Debbie’s praises, saying, “Debbie really knows her residents,” and “Debbie legitimately cares about each person here.” The residents share similar sentiments about Debbie. One resident said, “Debbie is very thorough and has a wonderful rapport with all of us.”
I asked Debbie what has kept her doing this all these years and she responded, “I just love it.” I asked her what’s the best part of the job? Debbie responded immediately, “When my residents love me back.” I could feel my eyes welling up with pride. Pride for knowing I was in the presence of a great caregiver; and pride in knowing I have the honor of having Debbie on my team.
Debbie’s daughter Vanessa is a nurse on a different unit at Arlington. Debbie calls her “my miracle baby,” because she wasn’t supposed to be able to carry her to term. Debbie also has three sons and twelve grandchildren. When you speak to Debbie, you can tell that two things mean the world to her – her family and her residents.
I left Arlington grateful to have been able to spend some time with Debbie, and grateful to know that we have Debbie’s out there caring for our residents. Thank you Debbie! You make a difference every day.
“Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world
For, indeed, that’s all who ever have.”
- Margaret Mead
Arlington Care Center